terracotta

Terracotta, from the Italian terra cotta meaning baked earth, is a common type of earthenware clay body used for pottery, sculpture, and building materials. It is typically reddish-brown in color, produced by iron oxide in the clay, though shade can vary from pale orange to deep red depending on composition and firing.

Terracotta is formed from natural clays and can be shaped by hand, on a potter’s wheel, or in molds. After shaping it is dried slowly to minimize cracking and then fired in a kiln at relatively low temperatures compared with stoneware and porcelain, usually around 900 to 1100°C (1650 to 2000°F). The fired material remains porous and relatively soft compared with higher-fired ceramics, a property that has influenced its traditional uses.

Because of its porosity, terracotta is often unglazed or coated with a glaze to improve water resistance. It is valued for its warm color and tactile texture, and can be left as a rustic material or painted. Its uses range from everyday pottery and plant pots to architectural components such as roof tiles, bricks, and decorative façades. In construction, architectural terracotta refers to fired clay elements used for ornament and cladding.

Historically, terracotta has been used since ancient times across multiple civilizations. Notable examples include ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, Etruscan architectural ornaments, and the Terracotta Army discovered at the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in China. In art and design, the term also denotes a color—warm reddish-brown—that evokes the material’s characteristic appearance.

Today terracotta remains a versatile, affordable ceramic material prized for its durability in outdoor settings, its ease of working, and its natural aesthetic.