Spongeware Sherd
Sponge-decorated earthenware
Also known as Spatterware sherd, Sponged pottery fragment
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A glazed ceramic fragment with irregular dabs of color rather than a crisp printed pattern.
- Typical size
- 0.5–3 in; fragments vary
- How often it turns up
- Occasional; depends heavily on local history and shoreline
- Collecting
- Archaeological, leave in place
- Handling
- Sharp edges
Loose modern sherds may be collected where permitted. Leave artifacts in state/federal parks, preserves, protected historic or archaeological sites, wrecks and submerged cultural sites; ask the land manager when unsure.
Check broken edges; photograph unusual or contextual finds in place.
How to tell it apart
- Repeated irregular sponge-like dabs
- Color sits on pale glazed ceramic
- Porous body may show at a broken edge
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
Commonly confused with
Transferware SherdGlazed ceramic
Spongeware has irregular dabs; transferware shows a more continuous printed design.
More beach pottery in the field guide
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