Ceramics have accompanied man for several thousand years. Over the centuries people managed to develop new methods of pottery manufacture and decoration. We would like to bring the ceramics world closer and present you the main issues of pottery :)
Let us begin with some basic facts: What are ceramics?
This term defines ware (pots, bowls, plates etc) made of clay and dried or fired.
As early as Palaeolithic Age people noticed the outstanding characteristics of natural clay, that can be hardened by heat. The origins of artistic ceramics go back to antiquity, especially Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Since modern times the constant development of pottery manufacture and decoration can be noticed.
Photo credit: hans s via Foter.com / CC BY-ND
The main element of ceramics is obviously a clay :) clay is natural deposit, which contains clay minerals, metal oxides and organic matter.
Types of ceramics can be divided according to used clay:
- pottery - made of common clays
- bisquit
- terra cota
- faience, porcelain, porcelite - made of clay with kaolin
- stoneware - made of clay with quartz sand, fired in high temperature, this type is represented by Bolesławiec ceramics :)
Ceramics initially were formed by hand, then other methods like pottery wheel and casting in forms were developed. One the clay is formed it has to be fired, usually two times (first at temperature 900ºC, then at 960 – 1460ºC).
What does it mean that ceramic is glazed?
Ceramic glaze is a thin, glossy surface, which covers a vessel.
Main ingredients of ceramic glaze is sand and metal oxides, which gives a vessel special properties such as leak proof and resistance to acids. It also has high aesthetics values :)
There are several types of ceramic glaze:
- alkaline
- lead
- porcelain
- salt
- feldspar - natural and safe, used on Bolesławiec ceramics since 19th century
Another interesting subject is ceramics decoration, for example : checkering, cutting and painting (on or underneath the glaze). Bolesławiec ceramics are painted underneath the glaze, this is why the decoration is so colourful and looks beautiful even in daily use.
We hope that now pottery seems closer and less complicated to you. Ceramic history and methods are worth to discover, particularly now, when handicraft and traditional techniques regin favour. Tired of mass - production we are more willing to buy handmade and artistic products as Bolesławiec ceramics :)
