1. A type of glazed earthenware pottery with a white or cream-colored body, developed in the late 18th century and widely used for tableware and decorative items.
Usage: plural form; historical/ceramics term; also called pearlware

Examples

• The museum's collection includes several examples of English pearlwares from the 1790s.
• Pearlwares were more durable and affordable than porcelain, making them popular with middle-class households.
• Collectors often seek out marked pearlwares to identify the pottery manufacturer.
• The distinctive glaze on these pearlwares gives them a subtle blue-white appearance.
• Many pearlwares feature hand-painted decorative patterns in blue or other colors.