saggers

saggers [Ar].
Large cylindrical fired ceramic vessels, with or without holes in the sides, used to contain unfired pots (especially glazed ware) or other kinds of ceramic products (e.g. clay pipes) to protect them during firing. Items were stacked in the sagger either on props or in a bed of sand. The filled saggers were then stacked up in the kiln, separating the items to be fired and thus guaranteeing less wastage.