What Do You Call A Person Who Makes Pottery?

Pottery refers to ceramic material that has been shaped and hardened through heating. The history of pottery dates back thousands of years, with some of the earliest known pottery pieces being over 20,000 years old. Pottery was first developed during the Neolithic period as communities became more sedentary and new technologies emerged. As early as 24,000 BCE, pottery was being produced in East Asia. In the Mediterranean region, pottery was being made around 7000 BCE. Pottery allowed early human civilizations to store and transport food as well as create art and religious idols. Over the centuries, pottery spread around the world and evolved in its techniques and styles. Major innovations included the pottery wheel and glazing. Today, pottery continues to be an important industry and art form around the globe.

Job Titles

The most common job title for someone who makes pottery is simply “potter.” Some other titles include:

• Ceramic artist – This term is sometimes used for potters who make more sculptural or artistic work.
• Production potter – Potters who work in commercial pottery studios producing functional pottery in large quantities.
• Studio potter – Potters who make pottery on a small scale in their own studio, either as fine artists or small production runs.
• Pottery manufacturer – Someone who runs and manages a larger commercial pottery studio.

But in general, “potter” is the standard term for someone whose profession involves making pottery or ceramic ware. It’s a broad term that encompasses both artisans and craftspeople working in clay.

Tools and Techniques

Pottery creation involves several specialized tools and techniques. The most essential tool is the potter’s wheel, which is a circular platform that spins, allowing the potter to shape and form symmetrical pottery pieces. The wheel enables potters to create uniform pieces with smooth surfaces and intricate designs (History of Inventions).

Another key tool is the kiln, which is an oven used to fire and harden pottery pieces. Kilns allow potters to control the heating and cooling process in order to achieve the desired effects on the clay. Glazes are also integral, as they provide a glass-like coating on pottery that can create various colors, textures, and effects. Glazes must be properly prepared and applied before firing in the kiln (TopCraftsDIY).

In addition to these major tools, potters also utilize a variety of specialized hand tools for sculpting, carving, smoothing, measuring, and decorating clay pieces. This includes ribs, loop tools, sponges, cutting wires, and various shaping instruments.

Types of Pottery

There are three main types of pottery: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain (https://deneenpottery.com/pottery/).

Earthenware

Earthenware is pottery that has not been fired at extremely high temperatures. It is porous and not fully vitrified, meaning water can seep through it (https://www.soulceramics.com/pages/types-of-clay). Earthenware can be fired at lower temperatures between 1,800-2,200°F. It is softer and more brittle than other types of pottery. Common types of earthenware include terracotta, faience, and majolica.

Stoneware

Stoneware is pottery that becomes vitrified and non-porous when fired between 2,200-2,400°F. The clay used for stoneware contains minerals that help vitrify the clay at high temperatures. Due to its impermeable properties, stoneware holds liquids without seeping and resists scratches well. It is stronger than earthenware but not quite as refined as porcelain.

Porcelain

Porcelain is the finest and most highly-fired type of pottery. It is fired at extremely high temperatures between 2,400-2,600°F, resulting in a strong, translucent white clay body. Porcelain is highly vitrified and non-porous. The clay used for porcelain contains kaolin, giving it a plasticity that allows it to be shaped into delicate and detailed forms. Porcelain is known for its smoothness, whiteness, and translucency.

Famous Potters

Some of the most influential potters in history include Bernard Leach and Josiah Wedgwood.

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) is considered the “Father of British studio pottery.” He studied pottery in Japan and combined Western and Eastern styles and philosophies in his work. Leach emphasized simplicity, functionality, and natural forms in his pots. He wrote the influential book “A Potter’s Book” which spread his pottery philosophies and techniques. Leach mentored many potters who went on to become famous in their own right.

Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) founded the Wedgwood pottery company, which became one of the most famous pottery brands worldwide. Born in England, Wedgwood pioneered mass production techniques for pottery. He invented an improved earthenware called Jasperware which was highly popular. Wedgwood pots were known for their high quality, innovative techniques, and neoclassical designs. The company he founded still produces pottery today. Wedgwood is considered one of the most influential potters in history for his innovations in pottery making and design.

Both Bernard Leach and Josiah Wedgwood made major contributions to the world of pottery through their innovative techniques, aesthetics, and impact on other potters. They helped shape pottery as we know it today.

Pottery in Different Cultures

Pottery has an ancient history and is an important part of traditional cultures around the world. Here are some notable pottery traditions from different cultures:

Japenase Pottery: Japan has a long tradition of pottery making dating back over 12,000 years. Some notable types include Jomon pottery characterized by rope-patterned surfaces, Haniwa funerary objects, and Karatsu ware’s rustic stoneware. Highly prized traditional Japanese pottery includes Imari, Kutani, Kiyomizu, and Bizen wares (Source).

Native American Pottery: Native American pottery traditions are diverse across tribes and regions. Common techniques involve hand-coiling, paddle and anvil, and pinching. Notable pottery includes Hopi designs, Pueblo vessels, Mimbres bowls, and Cherokee pottery. Much tribal pottery was functional, but also rich with cultural symbolism (Source).

Ancient Greek Pottery: Greek pottery originated as utilitarian storage and cooking vessels but evolved into an art form. Distinctive styles included the geometric designs of the Geometric period, black-figure pottery with silhouetted figures, and the diverse wares of the Hellenistic era. Greek vases displayed exquisite scenes from mythology and history.

Decorative Techniques

One of the most enjoyable parts of pottery-making is decorating the finished piece. There are several popular techniques that potters use to add color, texture, and artistic flair to their creations.

Glazing involves coating the bisqueware (unglazed, fired clay) with a type of glass that is bonded to the clay body during a second firing process. Glazes come in endless colors and finishes like glossy, matte, crystalline, and more. They may be applied via brushing, dipping, or spraying. Glazes allow for creative expression through blending colors, layering, and using resists or masks to block out certain areas.[1]

Another decorative technique is etching, which involves carving or scratching designs into leather-hard or bisqueware clay. Potters use metal tools like needles, loops, or ribs to incise lines and patterns. When fired, the etched areas fill with glaze and become emphasized. Etching allows for a lot of control and intricacy.

Potters also use underglaze ceramic paints to hand-paint images, designs, and color onto their pieces. Underglazes can be painted directly onto raw clay or onto bisqueware, and require a transparent glaze on top to seal and make them permanent. Painting allows for total creative freedom when decorating pottery.[1]

Firing Process

Firing is a crucial step in making pottery. There are several types of firing processes used in pottery:

Bisque Firing

Bisque firing is done before applying glaze to pottery. It is usually done between 1600-2200°F. Bisque firing hardens the clay body and makes it less porous before glazing. This prevents glazes from being absorbed too deeply into the clay body which can cause cracking. Bisque firing also burns off any water, organic matter, and chemicals in the clay that could interfere with glazing. According to Ceramic Arts Network, bisque firing makes pottery lighter in weight and partially vitrified.

Glaze Firing

Glaze firing is done after bisque firing and applying glaze to pottery. Glazes melt at high temperatures between 2200-2400°F forming a glassy coating on the clay body. Glaze firing can use various temperature ranges for different effects – low fire, midrange, and high fire. The glaze hardens and fuses with the clay body to make it non-porous and water resistant. As noted by Diamond Core Tools, glaze firing can be done in electric, gas, wood, or raku kilns.

Raku Firing

Raku is a specialized firing process that involves removing pottery from the kiln when it’s red hot at around 1800°F. The pottery is placed in combustible material like sawdust or leaves which creates localized reduction firing. This produces unique crackled glaze effects from rapid cooling. Traditional raku firing originated in Japan in the 16th century. Today, modern raku kilns allow for more control over the process.

Contemporary Potters

Two influential contemporary potters are Peter Voulkos and Eva Zeisel. Peter Voulkos (1924-2002) is considered one of the most innovative American ceramic artists of the 20th century (Modern Kutani). He is known for his abstract, sculptural pieces that pushed the boundaries of traditional pottery. Voulkos pioneered the “abstract expressionist ceramics movement” and his experimental and improvisational approach liberated ceramic arts from purely functional vessels. His large, rugged slabs and freely formed sculptural works redefined expectations for pottery and paved the way for contemporary ceramic arts.

Eva Zeisel (1906-2011) was an influential Hungarian-born American industrial designer known for her ceramic artware (Signature worth money? – Ceramic Arts Daily Forums). She created elegant, flowing shapes often inspired by nature and human figures. Zeisel designed mass-produced pottery lines for major companies like Hall China and Red Wing Pottery. Her award-winning designs were appreciated for their functionality and aesthetic sensibility. Zeisel’s prolific 70 year career helped shape modern ceramic design and make beautifully crafted pottery accessible to the public.

Conclusion

Making pottery is an ancient and beloved craft that continues to thrive today. As we have seen, pottery serves both utilitarian and artistic purposes across cultures worldwide. From cooking pots to decorative vases, humans have shaped clay into beautiful and functional creations for thousands of years. The humble potter brings clay to life with their skill, tools, and firing techniques. While today’s potters have access to modern conveniences, the fundamentals remain the same. Pottery connects us to history and tradition while allowing for unlimited creativity and innovation. Whether handcrafted or mass produced, ceramics hold an important place in homes and societies. As long as we appreciate art, food, and drink, potters will continue crafting clay into wonderful objects that we can both use and admire.