The Art of Pottery

The art of pottery has gone through a few phases over the decades. The craft that was a symbol of 1970s earnestness and then relegated to the dusty cabinet of embarrassments throughout the minimalist 1990s and 2000s has reemerged as a hot, hip hobby. And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Serena Williams and actor Seth Rogen are just two of the many celebrities who’ve recently expressed a love for getting their hands dirty with clay.

Pottery is an ancient craft that requires the skillful manipulation of clay and ceramic materials. The process involves sculpting the clay into a desired shape, then heating it in a kiln to remove water and form a hardened material.

Early pottery was made in the shape of cooking vessels and ceremonial jars. Later, it evolved into dinnerware and decorative vases. During the 17th century, imports of Chinese porcelain raised expectations for European manufacturers to produce finer wares. The result was the development of finer pottery, such as bone china, which contains pulverized animal bone to increase strength and durability.

The creation of pottery requires a number of skills that can be developed over time. Early pottery makers needed access to a source of usable clay. They also needed to develop methods to reliably heat clay at high temperatures. Clay and pottery can be used to date archaeological sites when written records are unavailable or undeciphered. Techniques that are more difficult to replicate, such as selecting and shaping clay and designing glazes, may indicate a closer connection between peoples.

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