Brief description

Pottery is the art and technology of making objects from shaped clay that is then hardened by the application of heat at high temperatures.

Use / Function

Storage: Vessels for grain, water, or oil.
Cooking: Fire-resistant pots and plates.
Lighting: Oil lamps.
Construction: Bricks, tiles, and floor tiles.
Sanitation: Pipes and conduits.

Operating principle

Clay contains chemically bound water. When heated above 600°C, it loses this water and undergoes an irreversible transformation called sintering, where particles fuse partially creating a solid, rigid, and durable structure.

How to create it

Preparation: Mix clay with water until a malleable mass is obtained.
Shaping: Shape by hand, by coils, or using a potter’s wheel.
Drying: Let water evaporate at room temperature to avoid cracks.
Firing: Heat in a kiln or pit at high temperatures (800°C - 1200°C).

Materials needed

Clay: Clayey soil rich in silicates.
Water: For plasticity.
Temper: Sand or chopped straw to reduce shrinkage during drying.
Fuel: Wood or charcoal for the kiln.

Variants and improvements

Terracotta: Porous pottery fired at low temperature.
Stoneware: Denser and stronger, fired at higher temperature.
Porcelain: White and translucent, high quality.
Glazing: Application of a glassy layer to make it completely waterproof.

Limits and risks

Brittleness: Breaks easily on impact or falls.
Thermal shock: Sudden temperature changes can crack it.
Contamination: Some old glazes contained lead.

Potter’s Wheel: Machine for shaping round vessels.
Kiln: Oven for firing pottery.
Firing: The essential process.

Ceramics: The broader category of material.
Brick: Construction material made similarly.