Shards and replica of a Tating ware pitcher

The pitchers, which are named after a place of discovery in Northern Frisia, were a sought-after luxury item in the 9th century. The wheel-thrown, high fired and with tinfoil exquisitely decorated cans were probably produced in the Frankish heartland. Shards of this export hit were often found in the trade centres of the time. Some have been discovered in the graves of high-ranking Vikings. Because of the tinfoil crosses that sometimes decorated the vessels, researches assume that they were used for religious purposes as well.