Excellent observation - maybe that's part of why I like that title? Refreshment isn't only about food and drink...

Ha ha - I do believe they've got it right!

2/2: The address is interesting: Temple Bar was in Fleet St, because that's where Temple Bar Gateway originally stood; it's now re-erected in Paternoster Square near St Pauls.
Isn't 'Refreshment Rooms' a delightful term for a cafe? if I was opening my own cafe, that's certainly what I'd call it!

Hi - there's lots of resources online - you could start with Richard Hemery's videos, such as this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx8O...

Yes, these inkwells are usually late 1800s to early 1900s; this one might be earlier in that range because of its simple form.

I wear gloves, of course.... And I don't do much actual digging - I usually only have to prise things from the surface.

Thanks very much!

Thank you! They're so compact and sturdy that they survive very well - it's usually only the rim that gets broken.

Aha, congratulations... They're a bit special these white ones!

Yes, I think you're right. This is the only piece from the London Tavern I've found in 12+ years, plus none of the mudlarks on Instagram recognised it or had found any pieces.

3/3: And here it is after a proper clean. It has a lovely thick layer of glaze, and is pleasingly wonky and imperfect - with lots of little smudges and marks from hasty handling by the potter.

2/3: Ah - it's a little inkwell! And I was right, it's complete and perfect. I've been told that these white inkwells were used for red ink; they're certainly a lot rarer than brown ones - this is only the second white one I've found, whereas I've found 17 brown ones.

Thanks for reposting! And glad you read the full article.

Aha - so that's who it is - thanks so much!

Indeed - thanks very much!

Sadly the building no longer exists, having been demolished after it closed down in 1876. My plate fragment probably dates from its last few decades; I'm delighted to have a small physical remnant from this incredible powerhouse of London history!

3/4: And the name 'tavern' is misleading - it was actually more of a banqueting hall, as this image shows. I didn't even need to research it myself, for the work had already been done by Matt of @londonist.com , who wrote this highly engaging article all about it: londonist.com/london/histo...

2/4: But I did look it up - and how wrong I was! The London Tavern (or City of London Tavern) in Bishopsgate was a London institution. It was a meeting place for important events and causes - the RNLI was founded here, the Thames Tunnel was first proposed in a public meeting here, and much more...

2/2: ... but on the Thames foreshore, especially in an area of Victorian waste, they are simply light amusement.
Nevertheless, I've taken these fragments of a Grecian-style urn to find a new use or setting for them...