POTTERY

MAKING WITH THE HELP OF WHEEL

It refers to the art of manufacturing pottery. Pottery is usually baked up of wet mud or rather clay. There are three major pottery types: (1) earthenware, (2) stoneware, and (3) porcelain. Each type is distinguished by its clay mixture and the temperature at which it is baked or fired. 

Pottery is made by forming the clay body into objects of a required shape and heating them to high temperatures in a kiln which removes all water from the clay, which induces reactions that lead to permanent changes including increasing their strength and hardening and setting their shape. Later after extracting it from the high temperature, it can be decorated with colors or other attractive agents. During the initial stages the clay must be kneaded as it helps the equal distribution of moisture throughout the clay. After  kneading and de-airing it with the help of a machine it is ready to be shaped into desired form and then it is dried out.

The clay can be shaped out with hands or with the help of different machines. Once dried up it can be decorated, glaze and glitters can be added to make it more attractive. The earliest pottery wares were hand-built and fired in bonfires. The earliest-known ceramic objects are Gravettian figurines found in Czech Republic. Other earlier pottery vessels include those made by the Incipient Jōmon people of Japan. The period between 1,500-300 BCE in ancient Korea is known as the Mumun Pottery Period.  The study of pottery has helped to provide an insight into past cultures to the historians.

FINAL POTTERIES

There are few environmental concerns with regard to pottery making. The first thing is that it causes noise and air pollution and also haphazard disposal of wastes. Next is, it affects the health of the worker due to its noise, inner air quality and use of excessive fuels.The use of energy and pollutants in the production of ceramics is a growing concern.