Agateware is
potteryPottery is the ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today...
decorated with a combination of contrasting colored clays.
The name agateware is derived from the
agate stoneAgate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz , chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color...
, which when sliced shows multicolored layers. This pottery technique allows for both precise and thoughtout patterns, and free random effects.
In order to avoid cracking and breaking which come along with mixing a variety of different kinds of clay, potters generally use one white or very light clay as a base.
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Agateware is
potteryPottery is the ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today...
decorated with a combination of contrasting colored clays.
The name agateware is derived from the
agate stoneAgate is a microcrystalline variety of quartz , chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color...
, which when sliced shows multicolored layers. This pottery technique allows for both precise and thoughtout patterns, and free random effects.
Technique
In order to avoid cracking and breaking which come along with mixing a variety of different kinds of clay, potters generally use one white or very light clay as a base. They then add colors in the form of stains or oxides. Colorant is added to the clay when it is in powder form in order to avoid blistering. 1-10% of colorant is generally applied, however it is up to the individual taste of the potter. The drying process is the most crucial part of this technique.
Process
One way
materials: this process requires the use of two or more differently colored clays. Body stains can be used to obtain almost any color desired.
- combine two or more different colored clays by kneading
Kneading is a process in the making of bread, used to mix together the ingredients and add strength to the bread. Its importance lies in the mixing of flour with water. When these two ingredients are combined and kneaded, the gliadin and glutenin proteins in the flour expand and form strands of...
and wedging.
- slice through to determine the amount of blending desired (generally agate patterning consists of a smaller amount of the stronger color).
- throwing/shape forming (you will not be able to see the agate effect)
- leather-hard stage (you will start to clearly see the agate effect at this point)
Further reading
- Cosentino, Peter. The Encyclopedia Of Pottery Techniques. Philadelphia: Running P, 1990. 11-13.
External links