What is Pottery?

Pottery is the use of clay and other raw materials to form vessels and objects that are then fired at high temperatures, which hardens and makes them more durable. The person who works with clay to create pottery is called a potter and the place where this art is performed is known as a pottery studio. Pottery can be sculptural or functional and is found in a variety of styles. The history of pottery spans thousands of years and many cultures have developed their own unique methods.

The earliest forms of pottery were utilitarian, and were used for drinking, eating, storing food and a variety of other purposes. Pottery was also used in religious and ceremonial rituals for a wide range of cultures.

Today’s pottery is often shaped on the potter’s wheel, but it can also be hand formed. The choice of the material to make the pot is important as it has a huge impact on how the finished product looks and feels. Different types of clay have unique properties. Clays that remain porous after firing are suitable for earthenware pottery, while more dense clay bodies can be made into stoneware or porcelain.

Additives can be worked into the clay body before forming to produce interesting effects in the finished ware. Coarse additives, like sand and grog, can help reduce shrinkage during drying. Colorants, such as metal oxides and carbonates, can be added singly or in combination to achieve a specific color.