Market medieval and Larp ceramics
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Item out of stock
- Item out of stock
Medieval ceramics for market stalls, LARP camps or festive gatherings at home don’t necessarily have to be archaeological replicas – sometimes it’s simply the rustic look, the joy of feasting and their robust, everyday practicality that count. In this category, you’ll find ceramic jugs, tankards and oil lamps with a medieval look, made using modern ceramic casting techniques, ideal for medieval markets, LARP events or creating an atmospheric ambience at home.
Market ceramics vs. historical replicas: what’s the difference?
- Rustic, medieval-inspired look
- Modern ceramic casting – uniform wall thickness, high production volume
- Ideal for market visitors, LARP players and decoration enthusiasts
- Affordable entry-level price, robust for everyday use
- No claim to source-based authenticity
- Made according to archaeological models and sources
- Built-up ceramic or hand-thrown technique, often unique pieces
- For re-enactment with a claim to authenticity
- Available in Early Medieval pottery, High Medieval pottery, Late Medieval pottery and Renaissance pottery
- Higher price due to the craftsmanship involved
The dividing line lies not in quality, but in intended use: anyone wishing to create an atmospheric market stall or raise a genuine tankard at a LARP feast is best served by market pottery. Those seeking an exhibit for historical re-enactments, on the other hand, should opt for the replicas in the related categories of medieval pottery.
What tableware was actually used in the Middle Ages?
From the early to the late Middle Ages, pottery was the mainstay of everyday tableware for broad sections of the population. The lower classes – peasants, day labourers – mainly used wooden plates and bowls, as well as turned wooden cups. The urban middle class relied on earthenware: jugs, tankards, bowls and dishes made of fired clay were part of every household’s basic kit. Only wealthy citizens and nobles could afford metal tableware made of pewter or bronze, more rarely of silver, as well as the first glass vessels.
Typical forms included the jug for drawing and storing liquids, the tankard as a drinking vessel, flat bowls as plates, and bulbous pots as cooking vessels and storage containers. Ceramics were thus far more than just drinking vessels – they covered the entire range of kitchen and household needs.
The situation was different with cutlery: the knife, often worn on the belt, was the most important tool at the table – everyone brought their own. Spoons made of wood or horn completed the set. The fork, on the other hand, only became established in Central Europe in the late Middle Ages and remained a luxury item for a long time. Eating with one’s fingers was socially perfectly acceptable, provided it was done with decorum. Anyone wishing to complete their medieval cutlery set will find suitable items in the shop.
What was sold at medieval markets?
Markets in the Middle Ages were far more than mere sales events – they formed the economic hubs of a region. At weekly and annual markets, traders from different towns and regions came together: spices and salt from long-distance trade, coarse cloth and linen fabrics, tools from the smithy, foodstuffs such as grain, meat and pulses, as well as all manner of handcrafted goods.
Potters and ceramists were among the most important craftsmen. Their wares were mass-produced goods with a regional character: the quality of the clay, the glazing method and the typical shapes varied considerably from region to region. Well-known medieval pottery centres such as Siegburg, Raeren and Langerwehe supplied large parts of Europe via the market trade. Pottery was cheap, prone to breakage and regularly replaced – a constant demand that made potters sought-after craftsmen at every fair.
Today, the modern medieval market scene vividly reflects this colourful hustle and bustle. LARP events such as the Conquest of Mythodea or the Drachenfest have their own camp markets where ceramics, jewellery, clothing and equipment are traded – a direct continuation of a centuries-old tradition. Market ceramics with a rustic character fit into this atmosphere without requiring expensive replica quality.
Ceramics, clay, stoneware, porcelain: what’s what?
| Material | Firing temperature | Properties | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthenware (clay tableware) | 900–1,100 °C | Porous, lightweight, inexpensive; requires glazing for waterproofing | Market & LARP |
| Stoneware | 1,200–1,300 °C | Densely fired, impermeable, very robust | Historical |
| Porcelain | 1,250–1,450 °C | White-firing kaolin, translucent, high quality, expensive to produce | Historical (from the modern era) |
| Modern ceramic casting | Varies | Uniform shapes, high volume, reliable dimensions | Market & Decoration |
Ceramics is the umbrella term for all fired clay products. Pottery, on the other hand, describes the manufacturing technique: the manual shaping of clay on a potter’s wheel or by hand (co-building technique). Industrial ceramic casting, however, involves pouring liquid clay slip into plaster moulds – the result is dimensionally accurate and reproducible, but not handmade in the traditional sense. For LARP and market trading, this distinction is of secondary importance; what matters is whether the vessel is watertight and can withstand everyday use.
In terms of price, ceramics and earthenware are significantly cheaper to produce than porcelain, as neither the raw materials nor the firing temperatures are as demanding. The quality depends primarily on the glaze and careful firing. For use at medieval markets or in LARP, glazed stoneware or glazed earthenware is recommended – both are dishwasher-safe and hygienically safe.
The history of ceramics: from antiquity to the Middle Ages
The world’s oldest pottery
The oldest known ceramic finds come from Japan (Jōmon culture) and China and are around 18,000–20,000 years old. Simple clay vessels served as cooking pots long before the wheel was invented.
The Bronze Age and Antiquity
The potter’s wheel enables the creation of more uniform shapes. Greek and Roman pottery becomes a high art form – amphorae, jugs and painted bowls from this period are world-famous. The Romans bring technical knowledge of glazed pottery as far as Central Europe.
Early Middle Ages
Simple earthenware, hand-formed or turned on a primitive wheel, characterises everyday life. Regional pottery centres emerge. The quality of the glazes is still limited, the forms simple and functional.
High Middle Ages
With the rise of towns, the demand for everyday pottery grows enormously. Pottery districts in towns such as Siegburg specialise in mass production. The first stoneware forms emerge – impermeable to water and more durable than earthenware.
Late Middle Ages & Renaissance
Glazed stoneware from Raeren, Langerwehe and Siegburg dominated the European market. Bartmann jugs and Schnellen became export hits. Ceramic production was now a significant economic sector with regional stylistic features.
An overview of the range: jugs, tankards and oil lamps
The medieval ceramic beer mug (0.6 L) with simple striped decorations is the ideal starter piece. Well suited for beer, wine and mead, robust enough for market use and visually fitting for any LARP camp. A classic piece without frills.
The three-wick ceramic oil lamp for hanging provides atmospheric lighting in the camp or at the market stall. It can be attached to tent poles or stands and creates a warm, flickering atmosphere using simple lamp oil.
The large three-wick ceramic oil lamp makes a more striking statement – more volume, more presence. Ideal for larger set-ups, tavern scenes in LARP or as a decorative centrepiece on the banquet table. Three items in the range come directly from the Vehi Mercatus own brand.
Using ceramics effectively: tips for markets, LARP and camps
Ceramic tankards are ideal for beer, wine and mead – precisely the drinks served in a medieval market or at a LARP feast. Glazed pieces are dishwasher-safe and hygienically safe; unglazed interiors should only be cleaned with lukewarm water and without harsh detergents, as they can absorb odours.
Oil lamps require standard lamp oil (not olive oil – it goes rancid). Hanging lamps should be attached to a sturdy hook or a fixed tent pole so that they do not swing and spill the oil. Floor lamps should be placed on a level, fireproof surface. Important: Market ceramics are not suitable for direct contact with open flames – this is reserved for medieval cauldrons and iron pots.
At a medieval market or LARP event, a tastefully laid table makes a significant difference. Combining tankards, wooden spoons and cutlery sets creates an atmosphere that immediately spreads to the whole group. Complete the picture with lanterns and other light sources – this adds a great deal of character to camp life.
For storage and transport, we recommend placing newspaper or fabric between the pieces, as ceramics can easily chip if stored improperly in transport containers. Small chips on the rim usually do not affect functionality, but they are annoying – so it’s better to wrap them up a little more carefully.
Whether you’re setting up an atmospheric stall at the next medieval market, kitting out your LARP camp with matching crockery, or simply looking for a rustic oil lamp for your home – here you’ll find ceramics with just the right character. Browse through the range and discover jugs, tankards and lamps that bring that medieval flair straight to your table.
Frequently asked questions
Market ceramics have a medieval-inspired look, but are produced using modern ceramic casting techniques and are not modelled on archaeological finds. Historical replicas, on the other hand, are based on specific archaeological finds and are often made using build-up or hand-throwing techniques. Market ceramics are perfectly adequate for medieval markets, LARP and decoration; those seeking authenticity in re-enactment should opt for the replica categories.
Yes, from the Early to the Late Middle Ages, pottery was the most important everyday tableware for the middle classes. The lower classes used wooden tableware, whilst the wealthy relied on metal vessels made of pewter or bronze. Potters were among the most sought-after craftsmen at fairs, and regional pottery centres such as Siegburg supplied large parts of Europe.
Glazed ceramic mugs are well suited for beer, wine and mead. The glaze ensures that the surface is non-porous and easy to clean. Unglazed inner surfaces should only be rinsed with lukewarm water without harsh cleaning agents. This ceramic is not suitable for use as cookware directly over an open flame.
Ceramics is the umbrella term for all fired clay products – from simple earthenware through stoneware to porcelain. Pottery refers to the manufacturing technique, i.e. the manual shaping of clay on the potter’s wheel or by hand. Modern ceramic casting is an industrial method in which clay slurry is poured into plaster moulds – the result is dimensionally accurate, but not handmade in the traditional sense.
Yes, ceramics and earthenware are significantly cheaper than porcelain, as porcelain must be fired at very high temperatures using special kaolin. In our range, ceramic tankards for the medieval market start at around €18, whilst ceramic oil lamps range from €29 to €40. The quality depends mainly on the glaze and the care taken during firing.