redslipped

Redslipped is a term used in ceramics and archaeology to describe pottery surfaces coated with a red slip—a liquid clay suspension tinted red by iron oxide. The designation, sometimes written as red-slip or red-slipped, is applied to vessels whose exterior (or sometimes interior) surface displays a uniform red to orange-red coloration after firing.

The technique involves preparing a slip from a fine clay body, thin enough to brush, dip, or pour onto the ware. The slip is applied while the ware is leather-hard, allowing it to adhere and dry without cracking. The red color arises from iron oxides in the slip and the firing conditions, with variations in tone influenced by temperature, atmosphere, and the specific clay recipe. In many traditions the red slip also provides a smooth ground for additional decoration, such as incised lines or painted patterns, though some redslipped wares are left plain.

Redslipped wares appear in a wide range of ancient ceramic traditions, including regions of the Near East, the Mediterranean, and beyond. In archaeological assemblages, the presence of red slip is used as a typological and functional indicator, helping to distinguish ware groups and infer production practices, trade networks, and cultural preferences. The technique is commonly associated with utilitarian storage and cooking vessels as well as ceremonial objects, though the exact significance varies by culture and period.

In the cataloging of pottery, redslipped wares are often contrasted with buff, slipped, or unslipped types to highlight differences in surface treatment, color, and decoration.