Pottery and Ceramics

The Preparation of Pottery

The construction of pottery involves the collection of clay and the addition of water. The clay that is to be used in the process of pottery making must first be prepared in a specific manner. Foreign objects and particles must be removed from the clay. Next, the potter constructs the form he desires by wedging the clay until it forms into the proper texture and consistency that is needed to form the object. Then it must be evenly proportioned in order to form the object properly. The object usually rests upon a wheel that spins while the potter manipulates the shape, allowing for an even distribution of the clay. This wheel was often referred to as the thrower's wheel or potter's wheel. This technique is used for vessels such as bowls, pots, or other circular objects. The invention of the wheel allowed for more pots to be made in a fraction of the previous time. Before the wheel was discovered, hand building and other techniques were used to manipulate and distribute clay. Clay was pinched, rolled, and pressed to form pots.

Larger pots were created by pressing and scraping together coils or clay rings. Pots were also molded from placing the clay over or inside existing objects such as baskets and or gourds. Pots could also be formed by pinching out clay from large lumps that were found. Once the object is in its correct form, it may be decorated. Incising, scraffito, and color can be added at this time. Afterward, it is left to dry and then plunged into intense heat (a process known as firing). In order for the clay to harden into a durable and hardwearing object, it must be subjected to temperatures above600°C. Some clay is more resilient to heat and therefore must remain in higher temperatures or longer periods of time. One technique of adding color to clay is the use of chemical reactions caused by heat and metals or minerals such as:cobalt to produce blue, manganese for purple, antimony for yellow, and iron for brick red. Other types of clay may not be able to withstand such intense heat, and therefore need to be covered by a glaze. Glazing is used to create watertight products. Glazes are used for color and design and provide a glossy finish that is easier to clean.

...