stukgoed

Stukgoed is a Dutch term that appears in historical, archaeological, and trade contexts to describe a class of ceramic ware produced for everyday use. The word combines stuk (piece, portion) and goed (goods), and in literal sense refers to "piece goods" or goods in pieces. In the study of Dutch ceramics, stukgoed typically denotes utilitarian earthenware and tin-glazed ware that lacks the decorative prestige of Delftware, faience, or other high-fired wares. It encompasses bowls, plates, jugs, and kitchen vessels that were mass-produced or turned out without elaborate decoration. In archaeological records and museum catalogs, stukgoed is a practical category used to classify ceramic assemblages by function, manufacture, and date, rather than by regional style; as such, it often includes broken sherds as well as whole vessels recovered from domestic contexts.

The term's exact interpretation can vary by region and period. In some inventories, stukgoed may refer to low-cost, utilitarian ware used by ordinary households; in others, it may simply indicate a lack of desirable decoration. In modern Dutch usage, the concept is still encountered in discussions of historical trade and material culture, though the more common everyday meaning for unmarked items is simply "stock" or "merchandise."