Pottery can be an overwhelming subject especially for first timers or the young. It helps to understand a few terms commonly used in this field while buying pottery or just for curiosity's sake.
It is common knowledge that all pottery is made from fired clay so let's go on to the A B Cs of the subject.
A
B
C
It is common knowledge that all pottery is made from fired clay so let's go on to the A B Cs of the subject.
A
- An additive - is the color given to clay even before work has started.
- Alkaline - is the various soluble mineral salts found in water and some soil.
- Alumina - along with silica is used in clay to give strength to the pottery as it does not melt at the high temperatures used in firing ceramics.
- Annealing - is a process in which pottery is exposed to a very high temperature and then allowed to cool to make it strong.
- Antiquing - involves using water based or oil based stains to accentuate its beauty.
- Arabesque - is the intricate floral or leaf patterns on the pottery.
B
- Ball Clay - may be used for many types of clays and is usually light colored and plastic.
- Batwash -is a mixture of flint and water which is used on the kiln shelves to prevent pieces sticking to it.
- Beading - occurs when glaze rolls back to form globs on a pottery.
- Bisque - is that pottery which is porous and unglazed after being fired at high temperatures.
- Blistering - is the name given to bubbles which break out on some fired ceramic objects.
- Bone ash - is the dried and grounded animal bones (usually cattle) used in making bone china.
- Burnishing - is the process of rubbing hard pottery with a hard object for a smooth appearance.
C
- Calcine - is the process of purifying material by heating it till temperatures of 1292- 1382 F.
- Cane clay- has sand like texture and acquires a straw like color when fired.
- Chamois - is extra soft leather which when wet is used to smooth out edges of wet and hard pottery.
- Chattering - is a rippling effect on clay which is used as a decorative technique.
- China clay - is the purest form of all clay.
- Cheese hard is a stage in pottery making where the object can be handled without the fear of deformation.