Pottery is an art form with a rich history and a unique vocabulary. Understanding pottery terminology is essential for beginners and enthusiasts alike. This comprehensive glossary will help you navigate the language of pottery, enhancing your skills and knowledge as you delve into this creative craft.

Basic Pottery Terms

  • Bisque: Unglazed pottery that has been fired once.
  • Bone Dry: Clay that is completely dry and ready to be fired.
  • Ceramics: Objects made from clay and fired at high temperatures.
  • Clay Body: A mixture of clay, minerals, and other ingredients used to create pottery.
  • Earthenware: A type of low-fired pottery that is porous and often glazed.

Clay and Material Terms

  • Ball Clay: A highly plastic clay used to improve workability.
  • Fire Clay: A clay with a high melting point, used to make firebricks.
  • Grog: Crushed, fired clay added to clay bodies to reduce shrinkage and improve workability.
  • Porcelain: A high-fired, white, translucent clay body.
  • Stoneware: A type of mid to high-fired pottery that is dense and non-porous.

Pottery Techniques

  • Coiling: A handbuilding technique using rolled clay coils to form shapes.
  • Handbuilding: Creating pottery without a wheel, using techniques like coiling, pinching, and slab building.
  • Pinching: Shaping clay by pinching it between the fingers.
  • Slip Casting: Pouring liquid clay (slip) into a mold to create shapes.
  • Throwing: Shaping clay on a potter’s wheel.

Tools and Equipment

  • Banding Wheel: A rotating platform used for decorating and glazing.
  • Fettling Knife: A long, flexible knife used for cutting and trimming clay.
  • Kiln: A high-temperature oven used to fire pottery.
  • Potter’s Wheel: A machine used to shape clay by spinning it.
  • Ribs: Tools used to shape and smooth clay, available in wood, metal, or plastic.

Firing and Kilns

  • Bisque Firing: The first firing of pottery, which removes moisture and hardens the clay.
  • Glaze Firing: The second firing, where glazed pottery is fired to melt the glaze and create a glass-like surface.
  • Kiln Sitter: A device used to control the firing process in a kiln.
  • Oxidation Firing: A firing process in which the kiln atmosphere has enough oxygen to allow the clay and glaze to develop their colors fully.
  • Reduction Firing: A firing process where the oxygen level is reduced to change the color and texture of the clay and glaze.

Glazing and Finishing

  • Engobe: A liquid clay slip applied to the surface of pottery for decoration or to improve texture.
  • Glaze: A glassy coating applied to pottery for decoration and waterproofing.
  • Leather-Hard: Clay that is partially dry and firm enough to be carved or trimmed.
  • Sgraffito: A decorative technique where a top layer of slip or glaze is scratched to reveal the underlying clay.
  • Underglaze: Colored decoration applied to pottery before glazing.

Pottery Forms and Styles

  • Amphora: A tall, two-handled jar with a narrow neck.
  • Bowl: A deep, round dish used for holding food or liquid.
  • Jar: A cylindrical container with a wide mouth.
  • Plate: A flat dish used for serving food.
  • Vase: A container used for holding flowers, often with a narrow neck.

Common Abbreviations

  • RPM: Revolutions Per Minute, related to the speed of a potter’s wheel.
  • SG: Specific Gravity, a measure of the density of a glaze or slip.
  • C/°C: Cone, a measure of the heatwork during firing, often denoted with a number (e.g., Cone 6 or °C6).

Conclusion

Understanding pottery terminology is key to mastering the craft. This glossary provides a solid foundation of essential terms and definitions, helping you navigate the world of pottery with confidence. Explore more guides on our website, join our community, and continue expanding your pottery knowledge. Happy potting!