What is Pottery?

Pottery is an ancient art that uses clay and heat to create objects. While pottery is often viewed as decorative, it’s also highly functional. Pottery can be used for cups, vases and even storage containers. The process of making pottery involves forming clay into an object using either hand built or wheel thrown techniques. The object is then fired in a kiln which removes the water and sets the shape of the object. The clay can then be painted or glazed to further enhance the finished piece.

Clay is the main ingredient in any pottery and is mined from the Earth and ground into a fine powder. The type of clay used in a particular piece will determine the final result. There are many different types of clay and each has its own properties that give it unique qualities. Some types of clay are more durable than others and will hold up better to repeated use. Some are more malleable and can be molded into a wide variety of shapes. Some clays are naturally white while others are darker in color.

Once a potter has formed a piece of pottery it is called greenware and it’s at this point that the artist may carve or sculpt the surface of the clay to create the desired design. When a piece of pottery is glazed it can be colored with metal oxides which are heated in the glaze firing. These colors can be vibrant and eye catching but it’s important to keep in mind that these pigments are toxic to animals, humans and the environment.