Pottery

Pottery is the process of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other ceramic materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard, durable form. Major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made by a potter is also called a pottery (plural "potteries"). The definition of pottery used by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is "all fired ceramic wares that contain clay when formed, except technical, structural, and refractory products."

History

Pottery is one of the oldest human inventions, originating before the Neolithic period, with ceramic objects like the Gravettian culture Venus of Dolní Věstonice figurine discovered in the Czech Republic dating back to 29,000–25,000 BC, and pottery vessels that were discovered in Jiangxi, China, which date back to 18,000 BC. Early Neolithic pottery artefacts are usually utilitarian but have increasingly more decorative designs. A more refined pottery evolved from this early utilitarian ware, and it is found in the Sumerian civilization around 5000 BC.

Production Stages

Pottery production involves several stages including forming, drying, firing, and glazing.

Forming

Forming is the stage where the clay body is shaped. There are several methods including hand building, wheel throwing, and slip casting.

Drying

After forming, the pottery is dried to prepare it for firing. The drying process involves removing the water from the clay.

Firing

Firing is the process of heating the pottery to a specific temperature in order to harden it and make it durable. There are several types of firing techniques including pit firing, kiln firing, and microwave firing.

Glazing

Glazing is the process of applying a coating to the pottery to make it waterproof and decorative. The glaze can be applied before or after firing.

Types of Pottery

There are three main types of pottery: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

Earthenware

Earthenware is the simplest and oldest form of pottery. It is made from clay and can be fired at low temperatures.

Stoneware

Stoneware is a type of pottery that is fired at high temperatures and is very durable. It is often used for functional items like dishes and bowls.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a type of pottery that is made from kaolin clay and is fired at high temperatures. It is known for its strength and translucency.

See Also

• Ceramic art
• Ceramic glaze
• Ceramic materials
• Ceramic engineering
• Ceramic sculpture

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