Keramiky

Keramiky, or ceramics, is the branch of craft and industry concerned with objects made from inorganic, non-metallic materials that are hardened by firing. It covers a wide range of wares, from everyday pottery and tiles to high-fired porcelain and ceramic art. The field is often divided into utilitarian wares intended for use and decorative or architectural ceramics, as well as advanced ceramics used in engineering applications.

Typical materials include clays, silica, and fluxes, combined and shaped by hand-building, wheel throwing, slip casting, or molds. After shaping, items undergo firing in kilns, often in stages: a bisque firing to harden the body, followed by glaze application and a second firing. Decoration can be applied as slips, underglazes, glazes, or overglazes. Major types by firing temperature are earthenware (low-fired), stoneware (high-fired), and porcelain (very high-fired).

Ceramics have a long history across many cultures. Pottery emerged in prehistoric times for storage and cooking. Porcelain was developed in China and later spread to Europe, where a thriving industry emerged in the 18th century. In the modern era, ceramics range from studio pottery and contemporary ceramic art to industrial products such as sanitaryware, tiles, and technical ceramics used in electronics, aerospace, and medicine.

Today, ceramics are studied and collected by museums and researchers; they are produced in craft studios and by industrial manufacturers worldwide. Environmental and energy considerations influence contemporary practice, including kiln efficiency and sustainable glaze formulations.