potterymaking

Potterymaking is the craft of shaping clay into functional and decorative objects, then firing them at high temperatures to create durable ceramic wares. Pottery is typically made by shaping clay in its plastic state (wet), drying to leather-hard, bisque firing, glazing, and a final glaze firing. The resulting objects include bowls, plates, vases, jars, tiles, and sculptural pieces.

Materials and equipment: Clay bodies are categorized as earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, each with different firing ranges. Additives such as grog or silica adjust texture. Tools include a potter's wheel, bats, trimming tools, trimming knives, and kilns. Decoration can be applied as slip, underglaze, or glaze; impressed patterns, sgraffito, and slip-trailed decoration are common.

Techniques: Hand-building methods include pinch, coil, and slab construction. Wheel throwing uses centrifugal force to shape vessels; trimming refines form. Mold work provides mass production or consistent parts.

Firing and finishes: Kilns use oxidation or reduction atmospheres. Firing temperatures vary: low-fire, mid-range, and high-fire. Glazes create glassy surfaces and can add color; some glazes contain harmful elements if not properly formulated; safety and glaze testing are standard in studios.

History and practice: Potterymaking is among the oldest human crafts, produced in many cultures around the world. In the 19th and 20th centuries, studio pottery and craft movements emphasized individual artists and experimental techniques. Today, potterymaking encompasses traditional craft, industrial ceramics, and contemporary art.