Pot Technology
In the last of the workshop sessions we explored the different processes of making pots and vessels. The museum has in the collection containers and pots dating from ancient history to 20th century examples. These vessels have been formed using a variety of techniques, some by hand and some more mechanically produced.
It was the technology of the latter process that we first discussed. Many later period examples of ceramic vessels were mass produced using a mould to produce the shape, a technology known as slip casting. Having introduced the casting process in the previous workshops to produce relief designs on flat surfaces, we progressed to making cast pots out of plaster of Paris.
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Employing the same mould making techniques in clay, participants were guided through the process of constructing a ‘cavity former’, so their relief designs would appear on the outer surface of the vessel. Liquid plaster of Paris was poured into the cavity, with the hope that the mould would hold firm until the plaster set.
A rudimentary method and basic equipment did not guarantee success but this added to the excitement and anticipation of the outcome! Once the plaster had hardened the moulds were carefully removed, revealing an amazing collection of vessels, personalised with detailed designs.
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The pot casting process was a success!
One of the earliest methods used to produce pots from clay was the coil process. Coil pottery is believed to have originated in Central Mexico around 4000 years ago and is still a widely used technique today.
Supplied with balls of air hardening clay, participants were guided through the process of forming a coil pot. First a flat piece of clay was rolled and cut to a circular shape, this formed the base of the pot. Cylindrical lengths of clay were rolled by hand into thin ‘sausage’ shapes. Following instructions on how to score and wet the clay surface, the first length was ‘coiled’ around the perimeter of the base. Subsequent rolls were then added on top of one another, forming the sides of the pot.
Coil pot making workshop
Participants were encouraged to shape their pots by slightly offsetting each coil layer, this could either increase or decrease the diameter of the vessel. Once a few coil layers had been added, guidance was given on how to blend the coils together using tools and fingers to form a smooth surface.
This tactile activity was an excellent introduction to an ancient process. Everyone enjoyed experiencing this handcraft technique, producing a unique collection of pots.
Clay being the material it is, becomes more malleable the more water added to it. Having wet his clay coils maybe a little too much, Paul’s pot grew ever larger in size and soon became unworkable and collapsed. Undeterred, Paul enjoying the feel of the clay in his hands, demonstrated amazing skill in pot transformation!
