tortoiseshell ware

A variety of creamware, the suface of which has been made to resemble tortoiseshell by blending metallic oxides in a clear lead glaze.

The simplest of such wares have a brown mottling on a cream-coloured ground, but later examples have several vivid colours applied.

The process was developed by Thomas Whieldon and used by Wedgwood for his early wares.