Decorating and glazing

Additives can be worked into the clay body prior to forming, to produce desired effects in the fired wares. Coarse additives, such as sand and grog (fired clay which has been finely ground) are sometimes used to give the final product a required texture. Contrasting colored clays and grogs are sometimes used to produce patterns in the finished wares. Colorants, usually metal oxides and carbonates, are added singly or in combination to achieve a desired color. Combustible particles can be mixed with the body or pressed into the surface to produce texture.

Agateware: So-named after its resemblance to the quartz mineral agate which has bands or layers of color that are blended together. Agatewares are made by blending clays of differing colors together, but not mixing them to the extent that they lose their individual identities. The wares have a distinctive veined or mottled appearance. The term 'agateware' is used to describe such wares in the United Kingdom; in Japan the term neriage is used and in China, where such things have been made since at least the Tang Dynasty, they are called marbled wares. Great care is required in the selection of clays to be used for making agatewares as the clays used must have matching thermal movement characteristics.

Banding: This is the application, by hand or by machine, of a band of color to the edge of a plate or cup. Also known as lining, this operation is often carried out on a potter's wheel.

Burnishing: The surface of pottery wares may be burnished prior to firing by rubbing with a suitable instrument of wood, steel or stone, to produce a polished finish that survives firing. It is possible to produce very highly polished wares when fine clays are used, or when the polishing is carried out on wares that have been partially dried and contain little water, though wares in this condition are extremely fragile and the risk of breakage is high.

An ancient Armenian urn.

Engobe: This is a clay slip, often white or cream in color that is used to coat the surface of pottery, usually before firing. Its purpose is often decorative, though it can also be used to mask undesirable features in the clay to which it is applied. Engobe slip may be applied by painting or by dipping, to provide a uniform, smooth, coating. Engobe has been used by potters from pre-historic times until the present day, and is sometimes combined with sgraffito decoration, where a layer of engobe is scratched through to reveal the color of the underlying clay. With care it is possible to apply a second coat of engobe of a different color to the first and to incise decoration through the second coat to expose the color of the underlying coat. Engobes used in this way often contain substantial amounts of silica, sometimes approaching the composition of a glaze.

Litho: This is a commonly used abbreviation for lithography, although the alternative names of transfer print or decal are also common. These are used to apply designs to articles. The litho comprises three layers: the color, or image, layer which comprises the decorative design; the cover coat, a clear protective layer, which may incorporate a low-melting glass; and the backing paper on which the design is printed by screen printing or lithography. There are various methods of transferring the design while removing the backing-paper, some of which are suited to machine application

Gold: Decoration with gold is used on some high quality ware. Different methods exist for its application, including:

• Best gold - a suspension of gold powder in essential oils mixed with a flux and a mercury salt extended. This can be applied by a painting technique. From the kiln the decoration is dull and requires burnishing to reveal the full color
• Acid Gold – a form of gold decoration developed in the early 1860s at the English factory of Mintons Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent. The glazed surface is etched with diluted hydrofluoric acid prior to application of the gold. The process demands great skill and is used for the decoration only of ware of the highest class.
• Bright Gold – consists of a solution of gold sulphoresinate together with other metal resonates and a flux. The name derives from the appearance of the decoration immediately after removal from the kiln as it requires no burnishing
• Mussel Gold – an old method of gold decoration. It was made by rubbing together gold leaf, sugar and salt, followed by washing to remove solubles

[edit] Glazing

Main article: Ceramic glaze

Glaze is a glassy coating applied to pottery, the primary purposes of which include decoration and protection. Glazes are highly variable in composition but usually comprise a mixture of ingredients that generally, but not always, mature at kiln temperatures lower than that of the pottery that it coats. One important use of glaze is in rendering pottery vessels impermeable to water and other liquids. Glaze may be applied by dusting it over the clay, spraying, dipping, trailing or brushing on a thin slurry composed of glaze minerals and water. Brushing tends not to give an even covering but can be effective as a decorative technique. The color of a glaze before it has been fired may be significantly different than afterwards. To prevent glazed wares sticking to kiln furniture during firing, either a small part of the object being fired (for example, the foot) is left unglazed or, alternatively, special refractory spurs are used as supports. These are removed and discarded after the firing. Special methods of glazing are sometimes carried out in the kiln. One example is salt-glazing, where common salt is introduced to the kiln to produce a glaze of mottled, orange peel texture. Materials other than salt are also used to glaze wares in the kiln, including sulfur. In wood-fired kilns fly-ash from the fuel can produce ash-glazing on the surface of wares, and the use of an ash and clay mix can result in alkaline glazes, as used in Catawba Valley Pottery in the eastern United States.

[edit] Firing

Firing produces irreversible changes in the body. It is only after firing that the article can be called pottery. In lower-fired pottery the changes include sintering, the fusing together of coarser particles in the body at their points of contact with each other. In the case of porcelain, where different materials and higher firing-temperatures are used the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the constituents in the body are greatly altered. In all cases the object of firing is to permanently harden the wares and the firing regime must be appropriate to the materials used to make them. As a rough guide, earthenwares are normally fired at temperatures in the range of about 1000 to 1200 degrees Celsius; stonewares at between about 1100 to 1300 degrees Celsius; and porcelains at between about 1200 to 1400 degrees Celsius. However, the way that ceramics mature in the kiln is influenced not only by the peak temperature achieved, but also by the duration of the period of firing. Thus, the maximum temperature within a kiln is often held constant for a period of time to soak the wares, to produce the maturity required in the body of the wares.

The atmosphere within a kiln during firing can affect the appearance of the finished wares. An oxidising atmosphere, produced by allowing air to enter the kiln, can cause the oxidation of clays and glazes. A reducing atmosphere, produced by limiting the flow of air into the kiln, can strip oxygen from the surface of clays and glazes. This can affect the appearance of the wares being fired and, for example, some glazes containing iron fire brown in an oxidising atmosphere, but green in a reducing atmosphere. The atmosphere within a kiln can be adjusted to produce complex effects in glaze.

Kilns may be heated by burning wood, coal and gas, or by electricity. When used as fuels, coal and wood can introduce smoke, soot and ash into the kiln which can affect the appearance of unprotected wares. For this reason wares fired in wood- or coal-fired kilns are often placed in the kiln in saggars; lidded ceramic boxes, to protect them. Modern kilns powered by gas or electricity are cleaner and more easily controlled than older wood- or coal-fired kilns and often allow shorter firing times to be used. In a Western adaptation of traditional Japanese Raku ware firing, wares are removed from the kiln while hot and smothered in ashes, paper or woodchips, which produces a distinctive, carbonised, appearance. This technique is also used in Malaysia in creating traditional labu sayung.

Methods of shaping

The potter's most basic tool is the hand. However, many additional tools have been developed over the long history of pottery manufacturing, including the potter's wheel and turntable, shaping tools (paddles, anvils, ribs), rolling tools (roulettes, slab rollers, rolling pins), cutting/piercing tools (knives, fluting tools, wires) and finishing tools (burnishing stones, rasps, chamois).

Pottery can be shaped by a range of methods that include:

Handwork pottery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Handwork or hand building. This is the earliest and the most individualized and direct forming method. Wares can be constructed by hand from coils of clay, from flat slabs of clay, from solid balls of clay — or some combination of these. Parts of hand-built vessels are often joined together with the aid of slurry or slip, a runny mixture of clay and water. Hand building is slower and more gradual than wheel-throwing, but it offers the potter a high degree of control over the size and shape of wares. While it isn't difficult for an experienced potter to make identical pieces of hand-built pottery, the speed and repetitiveness of wheel-throwing is more suitable for making precisely matched sets of wares such as table wares. Some studio potters find hand building more conducive to fully using the imagination to create one-of-a-kind works of art, while others find this with the wheel.

A potter shapes a piece of pottery on an electric-powered potter's wheel

Classic potter's kick wheel in Erfurt, Germany

The potter's wheel. In the process that is called "throwing" (coming from the Old English word thrawan, which means to twist or turn ^[1]) , a ball of clay is placed in the center of a turntable, called the wheel-head, which the potter rotates with a stick, or with foot power (a kick wheel or treadle wheel) or with a variable speed electric motor. (Often, a disk of plastic, wood or plaster — called a bat — is first set on the wheel-head, and the ball of clay is thrown on the bat rather than the wheel-head so that the finished piece can be removed intact with its bat, without distortion.)

During the process of throwing the wheel rotates rapidly while the solid ball of soft clay is pressed, squeezed, and pulled gently upwards and outwards into a hollow shape. The first step, of pressing the rough ball of clay downward and inward into perfect rotational symmetry, is called centering the clay, a most important (and often most difficult) skill to master before the next steps: opening (making a centered hollow into the solid ball of clay), flooring (making the flat or rounded bottom inside the pot), throwing or pulling (drawing up and shaping the walls to an even thickness), and trimming or turning (removing excess clay to refine the shape or to create a foot).

From around 7th century BC until the introduction of slip casting in the 18th century AD, the potter's wheel was the most effective method of mass producing pottery, although it is also often employed to make individual pieces. Wheel-work makes great demands on the skill of the potter, but an accomplished operator can make many near-identical plates, vases, or bowls in the course of a day's work. Because of its inherent limitations, wheel-work can only be used to create wares with radial symmetry on a vertical axis. These can then be altered by impressing, bulging, carving, fluting, faceting, incising, and by other methods making the wares more visually interesting. Often, thrown pieces are further modified by having handles, lids, feet, spouts, and other functional aspects added using the techniques of handworking.

Jiggering and jolleying: These operations are carried out on the potter's wheel and allow the time taken to bring wares to a standardized form to be reduced. Jiggering is the operation of bringing a shaped tool into contact with the plastic clay of a piece under construction, the piece itself being set on a rotating plaster mould on the wheel. The jigger tool shapes one face whilst the mould shapes the other. Jiggering is used only in the production of flat wares, such as plates, but a similar operation, jolleying, is used in the production of hollow-wares, such as cups. Jiggering and jolleying have been used in the production of pottery since at least the 18th century. In large-scale factory production jiggering and jolleying are usually automated, which allows the operations to be carried out by semi-skilled labor.

Shaping on a potter's kick wheel; Gülşehir, Turkey

Roller-head machine: This machine is for shaping wares on a rotating mould, as in jiggering and jolleying, but with a rotary shaping tool replacing the fixed profile. The rotary shaping tool is a shallow cone having the same diameter as the ware being formed and shaped to the desired form of the back of the article being made. Wares may in this way be shaped, using relatively unskilled labor, in one operation at a rate of about twelve pieces per minute, though this varies with the size of the articles being produced. The roller-head machine is now used in factories worldwide.

RAM pressing: A factory process for shaping table wares and decorative ware by pressing a bat of prepared clay body into a required shape between two porous molding plates. After pressing, compressed air is blown through the porous mould plates to release the shaped wares.

Granulate pressing: As the name suggests, this is the operation of shaping pottery by pressing clay in a semi-dry and granulated condition in a mould. The clay is pressed into the mould by a porous die through which water is pumped at high pressure. The granulated clay is prepared by spray-drying to produce a fine and free flowing material having a moisture content of between about five and six per cent. Granulate pressing, also known as dust pressing, is widely used in the manufacture of ceramic tiles and, increasingly, of plates.

Slipcasting: is often used in the mass-production of ceramics and is ideally suited to the making of wares that cannot be formed by other methods of shaping. A slip, made by mixing clay body with water, is poured into a highly absorbent plaster mold. Water from the slip is absorbed into the mould leaving a layer of clay body covering its internal surfaces and taking its internal shape. Excess slip is poured out of the mold, which is then split open and the molded object removed. Slipcasting is widely used in the production of sanitary wares and is also used for making smaller articles, such as intricately-detailed figurines.

Ceramic Lamps Are an Elegant Way to Bring Lighting to Your Home

First, what are "ceramic" means? The word "ceramic" word "Greek" Kerameikos' meaning is derived ceramics. Nonmetallic heat and cold a result of inorganic solids is prepared.

Ceramic ware made of clay in the first part, alone or mixed with other substances. Now ranges from the use of ceramic industrial design to create a stunning modern lamps.

Feel less certain, and perhaps a fancy ceramic lamps and even Tiffany lamps on the market today, simple contemporary art. In fact may bring more complexity, and although usually your home may be no difference between the body a more exotic materials, ceramic lamps and bulbs with no classic Tiffany-style stained glass or Victorian models.

A central feature that summarizes the current result as a ceramic lamp lighting to look at options - and variety is great. Is almost every conceivable shape and design of ceramic fixtures.

It's really to highlight a theme or design, each expression of interest, these lamps can be easy. Perhaps the nature of an issue, why trees and animals decorate bedroom with lamps with a non-tone decoration. This small table lamps decorations a lot of ways it would be difficult to leave for other types of lamps.

For selection of ceramic lamps Another great advantage is the relatively low cost. This is your renewal is a great way to reduce costs. Shape, size and variety of designs is any room to add value when carefully selected. How much this one would be reasonable to think that decorate their first home.

If the interior lighting, ceramic and other furniture for taking the time to find the perfect furniture for your time to look and choose the field that you think is adding value, savings. Lamp fixture because of such diversity, the correct lighting to enhance any style or motif can be used. But certainly "vulgar" and other more traditional homes to ensure they are much more likely ceramic valves found in most contemporary settings. Take your time and look to find the most suitable for you.

Ceramic - Techniques Of Decoration - Dream Art Gallery

Colors were applied to a ceramic surface to provide an object to remain credible evidence. That for the naked eye, or even better, a normal lens with a magnification of three to ten dimensions has seen the index.

In the past, in the brush, ceramic picture was the only way. Moving on the surface for vacuum-continuous pictures and floor paint brush is fine. This gradual reduction of the amount of paint brush color images to create subtle differences in the shadow vitality credit.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century in which new factories mechanized ceramic decoration as a result of a general search Rising labor costs. First, transfer printing of English ceramics industry input. The first transfer printing has been paid and are applied to the black or gold secrets. After 1750, cobalt blue were preferred and is used under the glaze. Copies of this technique can not be produced before 1750. This technique under the bright metal coating into the open design of the driver, acid resistant, with a thin layer of copper sheet contains. Then an acid bath dipped diluited plate is. Engraved plate was signed and thus remove surface design ink only. Finally, the plate is passed and the two cylinders are printed on absorbent paper wet, the surface against the transfer, then in the oven will be decorated with carved ceramics have been pressed.

Cutting depth on the plate, posted a greater number of colors.
Modern printing techniques, such as by mechanical formally, at the same time there was almost used to decorate pottery. Uniform color application.
Change the thickness of paint layers and planes of the hand to create a slap in the permitted number, a printing block must be different.

19. Towards the end of the century, imported porcelain painting process for the transfer of four-color lithography. A room furnished with this method is not dated before 1880 will give the modern reproduction, color printing process with a small point, instead of the typical color key with the left side of the brush.

Picture quality is very important in determining the commercial value and artistic elements are ceramic. This, however, Asia and the West have adopted different criteria to evaluate the production. Chinese and Japanese components such easier to finesse shots Asian artists through skilled hands with a brush to teach art to write about Europe as the artists can be applied to Chinese and Japanese can be seen since his childhood.

Ethnic Japanese Pottery Growth and Development

Ceramics in Japan, growth, Momoyama period (1568-1615) began to work. British Columbia since 5000, however, pottery with coils that have been exposed and open his hand was burned rope designs for commercial purposes has not changed a relatively new tradition of Japanese ceramics.

Put in prison from 1597-1592 excretion Japanese ceramics, to Japan when there was a large number of Korean Potters. At the same time at the tea ceremony gained popularity among the upper class and the military has. Ritual, Zen Buddhism, which was given to the importance of form and function of ceramics was a very good connection. Sen no Rikyu, and studies (1521-1591) Japanese pottery has led to improved and more innovation. Tea master prepared in this period flavor called Raku life.

Edo period (1615-1868) found during Arita porcelain to add. Chinese and Korean ceramics Imitation became the first Japanese porcelain. After the collapse of the Ming dynasty in China, Japan, Europe and Japanese ceramic ceramic innovation was the largest exporter to provide elegance promotions. Prosperity and the traditional heart of Kyoto ceramics are ceramic activity. Kenza famous Japanese potter Ogata (1663-1743) ceramics because of their broad tastes developed. Slowly for the Japanese high-tech ceramics were equipped with a fetish.

And Japan in 1868 to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate face slowly started industrialization in modern Japan has been the transformation. O, and serial production of modern and traditional methods Potters folk music from his hiding place using ancient ceramics can not compete with inspiration. The main flow of movement in other movements, such as folk art and ceramics to bring a series of exhibitions in order to get re-organized the traditional heritage has been organized.

Japanese ceramic types

1 Legal Yaki, Okayama .. produced a reddish-brown pottery also known as yaki inbe.

2. Hagi Yaki, Yamaguchi produced. Burned at low temperatures as the ceramic, fragile.

3. Karatsku Yaki, epics are produced. It 16 Century was launched. This is the most widely produced in western Japan a ceramic.

4. Mino Yaki, Gifu produced.

5. ONDA-Yaki, Kyushu produced. Are made by some families without power and their descendants as a family member was going through.

6. Otani Yaki, Naruto and Tokushima are produced. This is a great dish.

7. Raku-yaki, Kyoto did.

8. Ryumonji Yaki, Kagoshima produced. It began 400 years ago the Korean Potters.

9.Satsuma Yaki, Aichi produced. He started 400 years ago.

10. Yaki Shigaraki, Shiga produced.

11. Yaki Souma, Fukushima produced. At this type of pottery has a picture.

12. Tamba Yaki, Hyogo produced.

13. Tokoname Yaki, Aichi produced. Often there are vases, tea cups and rice bowls.

14. Tobe Yaki, Shikoku is produced. They are cobalt blue graphics.

15. Yokkaichi - Banko Yaki, Mie produced. Their 19th Century origin.

16. Arita Yaki - The Saga of the Edo period and built by Korean Potters met.

What is Ceramic Material?

What words, ceramics, pottery and porcelain only for most people, this material is indicated baglama. Today, many advanced ceramic applications, as can be found only a water kabi.

Ceramic engineering techniques as used in industries such as automotive. Ceramic able to withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive kosullara. This action metallic ceramic coatings has physical properties component for building surfaces. For example, ceramic materials dayanikliligini piston engine to increase kaplanmistir.

With more powerful engines, friction, for example easily other materials, metal, may not olusturulur. Brakes Disc-ceramic materials for a short time bazli now easily used in asindirildi traditional braking system.

Aerospace industry, ceramic coating materials, such as turbine kanatlari has an obvious choice. An entire generation high hizlarda turbine kanatlari enough thrust to propel the aircraft rotate to build. Ceramic coating without frequent Knives, be changed very profitable.

Piezoelectric ceramic is a type of ceramic material, electric potential, if the restrictions can be applied to build. These ceramics are applied as a force or pressure sensors can be used to collect used. Since World War 1, the ceramic sonar, radar for water used under producing.

The field of technology, environment and more complex developments in our common materials oldugu a device, activity to kullandiklari olmaktir.