Post-Medieval — 1650-1800; 17th century; 18th century
Sugar mould
A redware sugar mould marked with the stamp 'G...H'. Most of the sugar eaten by Londoners came from Morocco and the first sugar refineries in England were built in London in 1544. As the quantities of refined imported sugar increased, more people were able to enjoy sugar-sweetened foods, and the wealthy could indulge their passion for sweetmeats (including confections of locally grown and imported candied and preserved fruits, crystallised flowers, elaborate marchepanes and comfits). Archaeological evidence for sugar-refining in London is represented both by a late 16th century plant at Ratcliffe in East London - probably the earliest refinery in England to be uncovered - and more widely from the distinctive vessels used in the process. Several large concentrations of conical sugar moulds have been uncovered, notably in the Fleet Valley, and also in Southwark and again alongside the Thames on the north bank. The cone shaped moulds were needed for the process of claying sugar.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- NN15280
- Object name:
- Sugar mould
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1650-1800; 17th century; 18th century
- Material:
ceramic, earthenware
- Measurements/duration:
- H 590 mm, DM 267 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- London Museum Docklands: London, Sugar and Slavery Gallery
- Record quality:
- 40%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.