Pottery fragments, often referred to as shards, are found in fields due to a variety of historical and archaeological reasons. The presence of pottery in these areas often reflects human activity over centuries or even millennia. Here are some key reasons why pottery is found in fields: 

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• Ancient Settlements and Habitations

•  Agricultural Practices

•  Fertilization

• Abandoned Sites and Ruins

• Ritual or Ceremonial Deposits

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The majority of the pottery used in Wild Gems works is circa 1870 - 1930 from

local pottery companies including:

• Bridgeness Brownwear Pottery (~1766 - 1802)

• Bo'Ness Pottery (~1784 - 1898)

• Grange Pottery (~1879-1888)

• Bridgeness Pottery (~1888 - 1958)

• West Lothian Pottery (~1891 - 1894)

• Industrial Co-operative Pottery (~1891 - 1894)

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The prominent colour blue, and Japanese style patterns come from a type of pottery known as Blue Willow China. Developed by Thomas Turner in 1779, the Blue Willow pattern eventually became a classic fixture on many tables around the world. The pattern is actually English, although it is based on similar blue landscape designs in Chinese porcelain. By the end of the 18th century, several potteries were making Blue Willow patterns, which immediately captivated consumers' imaginations. Potteries continued to make Blue Willow throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and it is still made today. Part of what makes Blue Willow so popular is the story it tells in its design.

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In the Blue Willow legend, the beautiful daughter of a powerful man fell in love with her father's secretary. Discovering their love, the father banished the secretary and constructed a great fence to keep his daughter contained. She could only walk by the water and the willows. She despaired until she received a message from her lover. At a banquet, he rescued her, but her father noticed and chased them across a bridge. They got away, but years later, her father caught up with them. The secretary was killed, and the daughter died as well. In pity, the gods turned them both into doves so they could fly together forever.

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Motifs on the Blue Willow Pattern

If you've ever spent some time looking at it, you already know that Blue Willow china is highly symbolic with many motifs from this legend in the design. If you look closely, you'll see the fence the father built to keep his daughter in, the bridge he chased the lovers across, the willow and stream by which the daughter walked, and many more elements of the legend. At the top, there are two doves to represent the couple.

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You can find out more about Blue Willow China here: The Blue Willow China Story: History, Pattern, & Value | LoveToKnow. 

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Whilst we can never know for sure why these beautiful remnants came to be, its a beautiful thought to wonder how these

items used to look like - were they cups, saucers, bowls or bottles - and who used them. 

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All jewelry items come with a history, and location of its find so you can own a slice of history in your jewelry! 

​Check out our Instagram page for further information on specific items history, and what we're working on.