Produced in Hereford in the early 13th century.
Hard: inclusions of rounded sandstone and quartz, more common in cooking pots than tripod pitchers or jugs. Few inclusions exceed 1.0mm across. The clay matrix is angular quartz and white mica silt up to 0.1mm.
Some sherds contain very rare calcareous inclusions and have been classified as A3c (Ratkai forthcoming). The colour varies but includes reduced grey or black with oxidized surfaces (10YR 6/1 and 7.5YR 5/4). Glaze is olive (5Y 4/4, 5Y 5/6).
In Hereford Excavations Volume 3, Alan Vince (p39) reported that this fabric appeared in early 13th century contexts, but at a slightly later date than A2. It had only been found at Hereford and Breinton, a site just outside Hereford, and he suggested that it had been produced in or near the city. One hundred and twenty-one sherds of A3 were reported from Hereford in 2002. A3 pottery has also been found at Kilpeck and Eardisley .
Some wasters of A3, together with A2 and A4, were recovered from the King's Fee site in Hereford, suggesting that there was a kiln nearby producing all three.
fabric in section
internal surface of fabric
Some examples in fabrics A2 and A3 are identical in terms of firing (suggesting they were made at the same kiln). Similar forms can be found in A2, A3 and A4. A3 and A4 normally have rectangular pitcher feet.
A3 pitcher rim from St Peter's Hereford