OPEN VESSELS : BROADER THAN THEY ARE TALL - 'DISHES AND PLATES'
This type of vessel is relatively rare in ceramic archaeological remains. In fact, flat 'plates' are unknown.
The reason for this may lie in the fact that Viking Age home-made ceramics were mainly for food preparation rather than serving when turned-wood or metal dishes and platters were used. Poorer people would not have a fine table to deck for important guests and so may have had simple wooden platters or spisebrat to supplement home-made ceramics.
There are steep-sided broad dishes found which resemble later frying pans without a handle and with no lid (surviving).
The reason for this may lie in the fact that Viking Age home-made ceramics were mainly for food preparation rather than serving when turned-wood or metal dishes and platters were used. Poorer people would not have a fine table to deck for important guests and so may have had simple wooden platters or spisebrat to supplement home-made ceramics.
There are steep-sided broad dishes found which resemble later frying pans without a handle and with no lid (surviving).
'Dish' from the Black Earth at Birka : 16cm wide