Mortlake Bowl, Flint Decoration

Handcrafted Neolithic Mortlake Bowl – Peterborough Impressed Ware Style

Details

Made in the style of one of the earliest types of pottery in Britain, this Mortlake bowl reflects the lives and ingenuity of some of the first farmers and settlers in the British Isles. Used for cooking and food storage, vessels like this were essential to the survival of early Neolithic communities.

The curved base allows the bowl to nestle comfortably into the embers of an open fire, just as the originals would have done over 5,000 years ago.

Decorated in the Peterborough Impressed Ware style, this bowl features the distinctive impressed patterns created using tools crafted from natural materials such as bone, flint, or sticks. These decorations are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also connect us directly to the earliest known ceramic traditions in Britain.

This particular form is based on examples excavated in the greater Stonehenge landscape, especially at Wilsford Down, though bowls like this have been found at numerous sites across the UK. These artefacts date to around 3500 BCE, offering a rare glimpse into Neolithic domestic life.

Materials
Smoke-fired terracotta

Dimensions
Height: Approx. 180 mm
Diameter: Approx. 265 mm

Firing

This pot has been fired to emulate ancient techniques. Original Mortlake bowls were fired in open wood fires, in direct contact with the fuel. This method produced natural surface colour variations, still visible on this replica.
To improve durability, this piece has been fired at a slightly higher temperature than the originals, resulting in a more robust vessel while maintaining an authentic Neolithic appearance.

Production

As with all of our museum-quality replicas, this bowl has been handmade from natural clay in Northumberland, using replica tools similar to those Neolithic potters would have used. The decoration was applied using a bone, just as the original makers would have done.

Health & Safety
Museum-Quality Replica: Made using authentic historical tools and techniques.
Not food safe: This vessel is made from earthenware, which is naturally porous. Over time, it will absorb the flavours, oils, and liquids of anything it comes into contact with. It does not meet modern health and safety standards for food or drink use.
For display purposes only: While some enthusiasts use replicas like this in experimental archaeology or historical reenactment, this is done at their own risk.
In the Neolithic period, people ensured safety by heating pots and contents to above 70°C for at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria, with temperatures of 100°C or more offering further 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.

A powerful link to our Neolithic ancestors, this Mortlake bowl embodies thousands of years of craft, culture, and continuity.