Bottle Ovens

Placing an oven
The ware to be fired was first arranged in fireclay boxes called saggars which were then placed inside the oven. The saggars were arranged in vertical stacks called bungs which extended from the floor of the oven to the ceiling.
When they were full, the saggars were carried into the oven by placers, who balanced them on their shoulders and heads. The weight of a full saggar was approximately half a hundred weight. To protect their heads and to keep the saggars in place, the placers wore rolls made from old stockings which were wedged into the front of each man's cap. Link…