moldmade

Moldmade refers to objects formed with the aid of a mold, a technique used across ceramics and related fields to reproduce a standard form. In ceramics, moldmaking typically employs plaster, silicone, or other mold materials to shape clay or slip into a predetermined shape. The two principal methods are slip casting and press molding. In slip casting, liquid clay slip is poured into a porous plaster mold and left to stiffen before the piece is removed and dried. In press molding, soft clay is pressed into a mold to take its impression. Molds can be used repeatedly, enabling efficient production of multiple identical units, such as vessels, figurines, or decorative objects.

History and usage have been shaped by the development of plaster molds in Europe during the 17th to 18th centuries, which facilitated mass production of tableware and hollow forms. The technique became especially associated with porcelain and earthenware factories, including prominent 18th-century studios that popularized mold-made shapes. Today, moldmaking remains a common method in both traditional and contemporary ceramics, often offering consistency and economy while allowing skilled finishing work to alter surfaces, apply glazes, or add hand details.

Differences from hand-built work are a key distinction for collectors and connoisseurs. Moldmade pieces tend to be more uniform and faster to produce, but may exhibit mold seams or limited surface variation compared with hand-built forms. In modern practice, moldmade forms are frequently combined with hand decoration or alterations to achieve a balance between reproducibility and individual artistry.