Sea pottery (also known as "sea china" or "sea porcelain" or "beach pottery") is pottery which is broken into worn pieces and shards and found on beaches along oceans or large lakes. Sea pottery has been tumbled and smoothed by the water and sand, creating small pieces of smooth, frosted pottery. It is often collected with more common sea glass by beachcombers.

Origins

Sea pottery originates from pottery, including earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain which breaks into smaller pieces and is smoothed by the acidity and motion of an ocean or lake, the sand or grit polishes the edges like a natural tumbler. Much of the sea pottery in the United States and United Kingdom originated from discarded 18th and 19th century porcelain china made in Europe and America. Before the seventeenth century all porcelain was created in China. Some sea pottery contains discernible patterns, such as flowers, figures, and historic places and scenes, or hallmarks, factory stamps and dates which allow the pottery to be dated using pottery reference guides.

Uses

Sea pottery is often used in household decorations and furnishings as well as jewelry. Some enthusiasts fill jars with sea pottery to display. Sea pottery is sold in various stores. Because most sea pottery originates from turn of the century ceramics (glass and ceramics were used more widely for consumables before plastic) it is becoming increasingly less common to find these pieces now. Individual unusual pieces can fetch good prices and collecting sea pottery has become popular.