Kivikeramiikka

Kivikeramiikka, or stoneware, is a durable ceramic ware fired at high temperatures, typically around 1100–1300°C. The firing vitrifies the body, producing a dense, non-porous material that can be watertight even without glaze. Stoneware clays are usually iron-rich and range in color from gray to brown; the final appearance is shaped by the clay, glaze, and firing conditions. Common surface treatments include transparent or colored glazes, slip decorations, and, in traditional practices, salt or ash glazes that create distinctive textures.

Production involves shaping by wheel throwing, hand-building, or slip casting, followed by careful drying to leather-hard or bone-dry stages. Firing takes place in a kiln capable of reaching stoneware temperatures, often in a reducing or oxidizing atmosphere. Stoneware is valued for its durability, resistance to chipping, and ability to withstand thermal shocks when properly glazed, making it suitable for tableware and cookware as well as artist pottery.

Historically, stoneware has ancient origins in East Asia and the Near East and later spread to Europe, where it became an important category of ceramic production. European traditions include salt-glazed wares and Westerwald stoneware, with modernization expanding the range of functional and decorative pieces. In Finnish contexts, kivikeramiikka refers to stoneware and encompasses both traditional and contemporary works produced with high-fired clays.

Kivikeramiikka is distinguished from earthenware, which remains porous until glazed and fired at lower temperatures, and from porcelain, which uses finer clays and different vitrification characteristics. Care and use depend on the glaze and construction, but many stoneware pieces are designed for everyday use and long-term durability.