What Do You Call Things Made Of Clay?

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals, which is plastic when moist but hard when fired. Clay consists of tiny crystals called clay minerals that are formed over long periods by the gradual chemical weathering of rocks. The main mineral components in clay are silica, alumina, and water, but other minerals and impurities also influence the properties of clay. When clay is mixed and kneaded with the right amount of water, it becomes pliable and can be shaped into pottery, tiles, sculptures, and other ceramic objects.

The objects created from clay and then hardened through drying or firing in a kiln are known as ceramics. The word “ceramic” comes from the Greek term keramikos, meaning “pottery” or “potter’s clay.” Ceramics made of clay fall into several main categories based on their method of manufacture and properties: earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and terra cotta. The different types have various aesthetic qualities and are used for different purposes, from cooking pots to floor tiles to fine china.

Pottery

Pottery refers to any vessels, containers, or decorative items that are made from clay. Clay is one of the earliest and most versatile materials humans began using to make utilitarian and artistic objects, with some of the earliest known pottery dating back over 20,000 years. Pottery can be divided into categories based on the clay composition, manufacturing process, and purpose.

Clay is fundamental to all pottery. Clay consists of fine particles derived from decomposed rocks that become plastic and moldable when wet, retaining its shape when dried and hardening permanently after firing in a kiln. The different types of clays used determine the character and quality of the finished pottery.

Pottery is shaped by hand or thrown on a potter’s wheel, then left to dry before firing in a kiln. Kilns allow firing at high temperatures that cause chemical changes to permanently harden the clay. Common types of pottery defined by clay composition and firing method include earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and terra cotta.

Pottery’s uses span from cooking pots and storage jars during ancient times to modern tableware and purely decorative items. Clay’s versatility, workability, and durability make it uniquely suited for shaping vessels and containers of all kinds. The abundance of high quality clay deposits around the world allowed pottery to develop independently among early civilizations globally.

Sculpture

Clay has been used to create sculpture and figurines for thousands of years. Some of the earliest known clay sculptures were made during the prehistoric period, including the famous Venus of Willendorf figurine from over 20,000 years ago.

Clay allows artists to sculpt very detailed and intricate forms, which harden upon drying or firing. Clay is also relatively easy to work with and mold compared to other materials like stone or metal. As a result, cultures across the world have histories of ceramic sculpture and pottery.

Some of the most famous ceramic sculptures include:

• Ancient Greek Terracotta Figurines – Depicting gods, warriors, animals and everyday scenes.
• Tang Dynasty Chinese Figurines – Elegant glazed ceramic tomb figurines.
• Pre-Columbian Figurines from Mesoamerican Cultures – Such as the Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs.
• Renaissance Italian Terracotta Sculptures – By masters like the Della Robbia family.
• Contemporary Figurative Sculptures – Such as those by Viola Frey or Demetre Chiparus.

Ceramic sculptures allow artists to capture the human form and creative expression in a uniquely pliable and tactile medium like clay. From ancient spiritual artifacts to modern art masterpieces, clay sculpture is one of humanity’s oldest art forms.

[Sources: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/famous-clay-sculptures]

Tiles

Tiles have been used for thousands of years to decorate walls, floors, roofs, and other surfaces. Decorative tiles date back to around 4000 BC in ancient Egypt. Then in the 3rd millennium BC, Mesopotamians decorated their important buildings like temples and royal palaces with tiles ¹. Clay and ceramic tiles were also used in ancient Rome, Greece, Persia, and India.

In Europe, decorative tiles became popular in the medieval period, often featuring geometric patterns and bright colors. They adorned palaces, churches, and other buildings ². By the Renaissance, intricate painted and glazed tilework was common. Styles and techniques evolved over the centuries as tile manufacturing advanced.

Today, ceramic and porcelain tiles are ubiquitous in homes, offices, and public spaces. They provide durable, easy-to-clean flooring and walls. Modern manufacturing allows mass production of tiles in countless sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. Tiles decorate floors, walls, kitchens, bathrooms, pools, patios, and more. Advances in digital printing enable photorealistic designs and faux finishes.

Bricks

Bricks are a common building material made from clay that has been shaped and then hardened through firing in a kiln. Bricks date back thousands of years, with the earliest known bricks made in the Middle East around 7500 BC. Bricks provided an improvement over building with mud or stone because they were more uniform in shape and size. This allowed structures to be built with greater precision.

The earliest bricks were simply sun-dried rather than fired. Fired bricks were developed around 4000 BC, which created a stronger and more durable building material. Brickmaking evolved over the centuries, with innovations like glazing and coloring appearing. Holes started being incorporated into bricks in the 1850s, which allowed for lighter bricks that required less clay.

Clay bricks continue to be a popular building material today because they provide strength, durability, fire resistance, and insulation. Modern advancements allow for bricks made to precise specifications and standards. Bricks are used in homes, buildings, patios, walkways, and other structures. Their modular nature makes them ideal for construction projects.

Sources:

When were bricks invented? – Ancient Americas – Quora

When did they start making bricks with holes?

Tableware

Clay has been used to create tableware and dishes for thousands of years. In the past, clay was shaped by hand, but today most commercial ceramic tableware is made using molds and machinery. Some of the most common types of ceramic tableware include:

• Plates – Round, flat dishes used for holding food during meals.
• Bowls – Curved dishes great for soups, cereals, and more.
• Mugs – Handled cups used for hot beverages like coffee and tea.
• Teacups – Smaller handled cups for tea.
• Saucers – Small dishes used to hold teacups.

Many ceramic dinnerware sets include a variety of coordinating plates, bowls, and mugs. Popular ceramic tableware brands like Fable and earth + element offer artisan-made and handcrafted collections alongside mass-produced sets.

When shopping for ceramic tableware, key considerations include the clay type (e.g. porcelain, stoneware), durability, dishwasher/oven safe status, and aesthetic style. High quality ceramic dishes bring beauty and functionality to any dining table.

Terracotta

Terracotta refers to items made from an orange or reddish type of clay called terra cotta in Italian. This clay has high iron oxide content which gives it its distinctive orange color when fired in a kiln. Terracotta clay is known for being porous yet fairly strong and durable.

Some key properties of terracotta clay that make it good for pottery and sculpture include:

• Porous – Terracotta clay has tiny micro-pores that allow air and moisture to pass through. This is beneficial for plant pots.
• Durable – Terracotta is sturdier than earthenware clays thanks to its high iron content.
• Thermal properties – Terracotta can withstand high firing temperatures up to 2,100°F (1,150°C).
• Weather resistant – The fired clay is resistant to damage from weather and sunlight exposure.

Due to these useful properties, terracotta has been used since ancient times to create pots, sculpture, tiles, decorative objects, and building materials. Famous examples include Greek Terracotta figurines and the elaborate Terracotta Army from China.

Earthenware

Earthenware is a type of pottery made from clay and fired at low temperatures, typically between 1,000-1,150°C (1,830-2,100°F). It is porous and less durable than high-fire ceramics. Earthenware has been around for thousands of years and was one of the earliest uses of pottery. It remains widely used for a variety of purposes today.

Common uses of earthenware include:

• Cooking pots and bakeware
• Flower pots and planters
• Decorative pottery
• Tiles
• Tableware like bowls and mugs
• Outdoor architectural elements

Some examples of earthenware clay bodies are terracotta, redware, ironstone, and majolica. Earthenware has an earthy red-brown color from the iron oxide naturally found in the clay. It provides an affordable and versatile option for many everyday uses.

Stoneware

Stoneware is a type of clay widely used in pottery, art, and architecture. Unlike earthenware, which is fired at low temperatures, stoneware is fired at higher temperatures within the range from 2,167°F (1,186°C) Cone 5 to 2,400°F (1,316°C) Cone 10. Stoneware is non-porous and often vitrified, which makes it water-resistant and durable. The higher firing temperatures make stoneware stronger and less porous than earthenware.

Compared to earthenware, stoneware clays have lower porosity, are denser, and provide greater strength and durability for functional ware such as crockery, cooking pots, mugs, and serving dishes. The clay used for stoneware contains minerals that induce vitrification at high kiln temperatures. Common clays used include ball clays, fire clays, and stoneware clays. When fired, the clay particles partially fuse, creating a nonporous ceramic.

Stoneware’s low porosity makes it suitable for use with liquids without the risk of leaching or absorption. It is also highly resistant to thermal shock. These properties have made stoneware popular for cooking vessels, containers, tableware and architectural tilework. Unlike porous earthenware, stoneware does not require a glaze to be impermeable.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating materials like kaolin clay to high temperatures in a kiln. The word “porcelain” comes from the old Italian word “porcellana” meaning cowrie shell, due to its resemblance to the surface of polished shells.

Porcelain was first made in China over 2,000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, porcelain was discovered by a Chinese potter who mixed kaolin clay and ground petuntse rocks, resulting in a high-fired ceramic that was white, thin, translucent and resonant. Porcelain became known as “white gold” and was highly coveted by nobility and the wealthy.¹

The raw materials for porcelain are kaolin clay, quartz and feldspar. Kaolin clay gives porcelain its plasticity and fired whiteness, while quartz and feldspar act as fluxes to lower the firing temperature. The ingredients are combined with water to make a slurry that is shaped, dried and then fired at extremely high temperatures up to 1,400°C to vitrify and harden the body.² The heat causes the materials to fuse and become non-porous with very low permeability, making porcelain resistant to staining and chipping.³