Handcrafted Neolithic Hembury-Style Bowl – Inspired by Carn Brea, Cornwall
Details
This is a replica of a Neolithic bowl in the Hembury style, based on an example from Carn Brea, Cornwall, and dated to around 3300 BCE. The originals were often made from gabbroic clay sourced from the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. It is thought that the finest examples of this style were crafted by professional potters and traded across Britain, reaching as far as Wessex and beyond.
Hembury ware is distinctive for its lack of decoration and trumpet lugs—handles that flare outward from the body of the pot.
Materials
Smoke-fired terracotta
Dimensions
Height: Approx. 135 mm
Diameter: Approx. 220 mm
Handle Length: Approx. 15 mm
Firing
This vessel has been fired to emulate ancient Neolithic conditions. Originally, such pots would have been fired in an open wood fire, in close contact with the flames and fuel. This process leaves natural surface colour variations as the flames mark the pot. Because open firings produce low temperatures and relatively fragile pots, this replica has been fired to a higher temperature using a specialist method that strengthens the piece while maintaining an authentic finish.
Production
Each pot is completely hand-built using clays similar in character to those used by Neolithic potters. The vessel has been fired in a wood fire to emulate the surface colouration of the original and finished with beeswax, a material also identified in residue analysis of original finds.
Where hand tools are required, they are made by hand from stone, wood, shell, bone, and antler, based on original Neolithic artefacts or evidence from tool marks on the pottery.
Please note: You may not receive the exact pot pictured. All of our items are individually handmade, so variations in shape and colour should be expected.
Health & Safety
Museum-Quality Replica: Made using authentic Roman tools and techniques.
Not food safe: This piece is unglazed and porous, meaning it absorbs liquids and does not meet modern health and safety standards for food use.
For display purposes only: While some enthusiasts use replicas for experimental archaeology, doing so is at your own risk.
Ancient users ensured food safety by heating their pots and contents above 70°C for at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria, with 100°C or higher offering additional protection.
Ordering Information
'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.
Shipping
All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
Postage Note: All items are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.
Bring ancient Cornish craftsmanship into your home. Order today to own a beautifully recreated piece of Neolithic heritage.
