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September 3, 2020
VMNH Research Technician Lucy Treado and volunteer Alicia Lantz have been continuing to process artifacts from the Claremont Manor archaeological site, which is located along the James River in Surry County, Virginia. Recently, they discovered brick fragments that appeared to have an interesting glazed surface. Alicia began her research on the subject and found the following information:
In the early 18th century of colonial Virginia, a sign of one's social status was to decorate their brick exterior home with a style called Flemish Bond, a design that was popular in southern England. This design alternated the stretcher bricks (the longer side) with glazed header bricks (the short end) to create a checkerboard pattern.
The brick headers were glazed during the firing process. Headers arranged closest to the kiln's heat source (oak wood) underwent a chemical reaction with the potassium within the oak, producing a blueish-grey glaze.
