- The Art of the Potter -
A
c
Figure 19.6 (A) S-shaped and concentric circular stamps and comb impressions on a sherd
from Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan; (B) incisions and impressions on a vessel from Twyn-
y-Gaer, Gwent; (C) curvilinear incision and complementing stabs on a vessel from Breedon-
on-the-Hill, Leicestershire. (Photo: Leicestershire Museums and Art Galleries.)
Arguably the most common decorative technique to be employed on iron age
ceramics is incision, where blunt objects (perhaps 'scoring'?) blades or points are
drawn through the wet or leather-hard clay (Figures 19.3A; 19.4; 19.6C; 19.7). These
lines can be broad or narrow, deep or shallow, uni-or multidirectional, forming
orthogonal or curvilinear motifs. The tools employed may be the same as those used
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