Antique Pottery Online: Reviewed & Rated
Antique Pottery Online...
Hello, I'm Marion. I love antique pottery. I am sharing these articles on the history of antique pottery, becoming an antique pottery collector, the versatility of pottery through time, and how to Make your Own Clay by Hand.
The History of Antique Pottery
No matter what part of the world you travel in, you will find the history of pottery. The earliest documented piece of pottery was found in southern China and dates back 18,000 years. There is probably pottery much older than this that has not been discovered yet but this gives you an idea of the creativity of beings from centuries ago.
From the crude structure and design of pieces found in the BC years, it is believed that clay was first molded out of clay earth and tempered with crushed shell, sand and grit. Heated over a bonfire, the temperature could reach 900 degrees to harden, making a sustainable vessel for carrying water.
As time passed on, the clay vessels became more formatted in shape which leads historians to pinpoint 4,000 BC as the date that the potter's wheel was invented. This not only gave potters a more sophisticated way in which to design their vessels but also to create at a faster pace and sell to neighboring cities.
Geometric designs began to emerge in the Mediterranean area during the Greek Dark Ages, 1,000 BC. It is interesting to note that while pottery was expanding in one section of the world, it was also growing in other parts. Korea noted this period as the Mumun Pottery Period and red-burnished pots were made. A few centuries later, bronze was used for ceremonial and burial purposes.
Depending on what area one resided in has created the different types of pottery that we know today. The glazed pots of Egypt, China and the Middle East provided a highly decorative and shiny surface that was also used in tiles. Africa chose terracotta and metal as their material to keep termites away. Tin enamel was first introduced in Bagdad and found its way into Spain and later Italy.
During the 13th century, Japan became noted for the Song dynasty, achieving the perfection of simple ceramics, the start of the Japanese culture where formal ceremonies for the Zen priests demanded only the finest and humblest of ceramic offerings.
Credit must be given to the Chinese for forming true porcelain made from kaolin, a very fine white clay and petuntse, a rock that can be formed into natural glass at high temperatures. Europe imported these ingredients until they found that china clay and china stone, or feldspar, could be mined in their region.
Kakiemon porcelain and Majolica followed as pottery continued
its trend to
where it is today with much in between. Although
the world has changed significantly,
pottery is the one natural and historical phase that has not. Beauty that is part of the
earth, today or
18,000 years ago, can never be changed or diminished as part of our
culture.
If you have ever seen a collection of antique pottery, you can feel the pride that is shared by its owner. Everything is similar and perfect, an art that reflects the skill of a time long past. Becoming an antique pottery collector evolves over time and you have to allow yourself to have a passion for beauty.
There are several reasons why one piece of pottery becomes a collector's item while other similar looking pieces just don't make the grade. Unless you are actively involved in the field of antique pottery or are an avid collector, it is very hard to learn what to look for. A certain feel will overtake you as you dig deeper into the formation of clay, the glazing and paints used and the history of each piece.
Perhaps a ceramic company went out of business many years ago but their legacy lives on through pottery vases. A recognized artist, limited editions or a change in a mold are other reasons why pottery takes on a special meaning for collectors. It also explains why some pieces cost very little and others bring high prices.
A good example of collecting antique pottery can be shown with the Shawnee Pottery line that began producing fancy kitchenwares out of clay in 1937. As with many antique collectibles, the age is not as significant as the craftsmanship. The Shawnee cookie jars and sugar bowls were not limited to a certain amount. In fact, Proctor & Gamble bought and gave away many of the Corn King and Corn Queen models in promotions.
What made Shawnee Pottery so special were the different types of designs and the different lines of style and color that was used throughout the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. The first line of Shawnee was called White Corn and was made from 1937 through 1946. Collectors of the White Corn series know exactly what period these pottery items were made and the different items in the line are easy to distinguish.
The next phase was called Corn King that ran from 1946 to 1954 and featured yellow corn for a more natural look. Both of these time periods represent an era that is special and creative pieces were used to blend in with the dinnerware pieces. There was the Shawnee Great Northern Girl that sold for $350 and on the other end, the Shawnee Smiley Gold with Coverbud at $6750.
An antique pottery collector knows what to look for and how to find models belonging to certain sets. If you are interested in collecting pottery for fun or profit, start with collector's guides for pottery and pottery identification guides. If certain pottery eras and styles interest you more than others, read as much as you can on the subject and history so you will be ready to start with your first piece and expand from there.
The
Versatility of Pottery Through Time
Pottery has been in use for
thousands of years and is still a popular choice in use today.
Over the
years it has continued to evolve and develop new and better techniques
for use.
Pottery has also developed new decorating techniques and
glazes for more
decorative value throughout its history.
The earliest known pottery found are
figurines known as Gravettian figurines. These were
discovered in what is
now known as Czech Republic and are dated to 29,000-25,000 BCE.
The
figurines were primarily made to look like animals and women.
The oldest
pottery found was in southern China and dated back 18,000 years.
This
early pottery was fired in bonfires, where higher temperatures could be
reached
quickly resulting in a shorter firing time. The earliest
kilns were
called pit-kilns or trench-kilns and were simple holes dug in the
ground and covered
with fuel. These kilns provided better insulation than a
bonfire and gave
better firing results.
The oldest method of pottery making
is from hand using either coils, slabs, or balls of clay. Pieces of
clay were
joined together using slurry a mixture of clay and water that is very
runny.
Between 6,000 and 4,000 BCE the potter's wheel was invented
revolutionizing the
speed of pottery making. This invention allowed potters to
make more
pottery and help satisfy the growing demand of pottery. Using
a wheel a
potter can make many items that are identical to each other in a short
amount
of time.
Today there are three pottery types
used. These types are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
Earthenware
is fired at a low temperature and is often glazed with bright and
colorful
glazes, but it is more susceptible to cracks and chips.
Stoneware is made
with a heavy clay mixture giving it better strength and durability.
Stoneware is also fired at higher temperatures giving it a
harder finish.
The last type is porcelain and is a delicate yet exquisite
pottery.
Porcelain is made from kaolin and mixed with feldspar and
lint before
being fired at a low temperature. Kaolin is a fine white clay
found in
many places throughout the world and used for many different purposes
as well.
Pottery is often decorated with
glazes but can also be decorated in other ways before and after firing.
Prior to forming clay into any object a potter may choose to
add
additives to the clay like sand to give the final product texture.
Metal oxides
and carbonates can also be added either before or after an item is made
to give
the pottery a certain color or color combination. Agateware is made
from
different colors of clay blended together and have a distinctive veined
or
mottled appearance when finished. Burnishing is done by
rubbing the clay
with an instrument made of wood, steel, or stone to give a polished
finish that
survives the firing process. There are also other ways to
decorate the
pottery including adding gold to it.
Glazing itself is an important step
in the pottery process and makes the pottery impermeable to water or
other
liquids. Over time a large variety of glazes have been
developed to
create specific looks and colors. Often a glaze will have a
significant
color change after being fired which is completely normal.
Pottery making tips - How to Make Clay by Hand
Pottery
pieces have always been attractive and challenging to either make or paint. There is something about actually making your
own pottery pieces that is so satisfying and exciting, especially if you are a
person who is creative, innovative and have an artistic flair.
If
you have never made clay pottery before this, you can read the following which
will outline steps that will guide you to create your own first pinch pot. Once you do that you can also research and get
information on how to glaze, paint and fire pottery. These tips show you how to make clay pots by
hand and throw pots on the potter's wheel.
You
have to start with some clay which is of good quality. It is easy to get this type of clay at a
potter's studio located somewhere close by. In case they don't sell clay they can at least
tell you or advise you as to where you can buy it. Art and craft stores are also great places
where you can purchase some good quality clay. Apart from these, don't forget that you can
buy some online.
Some
types of clay can be baked at home in the oven while others can't. Set up an area or workspace where you can work.
This place will get pretty messy so you
will have to choose it accordingly. Also
make sure there is enough and easy access to a water supply. If you plan to use
the kitchen table then it will be necessary to cover the surface with
newspapers and use a huge cutting board. Keep all your towels or rags, tools,
paintbrushes, etc ready.
Use
some fishing wire or dental floss (un-waxed) to cut some clay off the main clay
brick. The amount you cut off should fit in the palm of your hand. Wet this
clay and start to mold it into a ball. Keep
checking the texture and use the right amount of moisture so as to make it
pliable, yielding and easy to mold and at the same time keep the shape. Patience is needed while working and rotating
the clay. Push down right to the center
and then pinch and form the bowl sides till they measure a ¼ of an inch. In case the clay starts breaking then water
should be used to mend the cracks. In
case the clay feels too slippery or wet then it should be dried with a rag or
towel. This is why one needs to have a
lot of patience while making a pinch pot.
Once
you get the shape right with the right amount of thickness in the walls, smooth
the sides of the bowl with a wet brush and allow the bowl to dry.
Once your bowl is dry the next step is to bake it to make sure the clay is hardened. If the clay you have used is not the type to be popped into your oven at home then take it to a professional kiln. Once it is fired, your pinch pot is ready for decoration or painting. This pot making can be a family project that kids will enjoy. Not only will they take great pride in creating something beautiful and useful but they can make the pot to reflect their own personality and style.