William III Westerwald Gorge

Description

This Hӧhr-type Westerwald fragment was part of a German ale mug called a gorge. It is decorated with a medallion featuring King William III ("William of Orange"), who reigned from 1689-1702. This fragment was recovered by a City of Boston Archaeology Program volunteer during the excavation of the Pierce-Hichborn House in the North End. The extant brick house on the site was built in 1711 by Moses Pierce, a window glazier. Prior to its construction, a wooden house stood on the property, but it burned down in 1676. The gorge likely belonged to Mary Pierce, the mother of Moses, who owned the property before him. Provenience: PHH-235-040. Scanned by Nadia Kline.