What Is Pottery?

Pottery is the clay used to make pots, mugs, bowls and other ceramic items that can be shaped into unique designs. It is a beautiful and practical craft that has served many purposes since it was first created. Pottery can be decorated with glazes and underglazes, or simply left unadorned for a rustic look.

Potters shape clay into a specific object, either by hand or using a pottery wheel. Once the object is shaped, it undergoes a process known as firing. Firing involves exposing the clay to high temperatures in a kiln. This alters the chemical and physical properties of the clay to create a permanent, hardened object.

Before firing, the clay must be prepared by removing all air bubbles. This is done through a process called wedging or spiral kneading. This is much like kneading bread dough and is necessary to get the clay ready for firing. If not removed, the air bubbles could cause a crack in the resulting fired piece of pottery.

As pottery evolved from utilitarian and rugged village craft to an art form with a high level of skill, some clay vessels were even molded into shapes that alluded towards spiritual concepts. Pottery that includes necks, shoulders, stomachs and feet can reveal human stances and attitudes.

Oriental potters also developed celadons, and red glaze that requires a properly balanced reduction atmosphere in the kiln for proper coloring. Without the right atmosphere, a red glaze will turn pale brown or tan.

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