Pottery Terms

3. Dry The final drying stage before firing, where all moisture has evaporated from the clay. Bone-dry clay is extremely fragile and ready for the kiln.
5. A high-fire, white, fine-grained clay known for its strength, translucency, and smooth surface. It is often used for delicate, high-end ceramics and fired at temperatures above 2,300°F.
8. Cone A small, cone-shaped piece of ceramic material that melts at a specific temperature. Potters use cones to measure the heat inside a kiln and determine when firing is complete.
9. A low-fire clay that is porous and not as durable as stoneware or porcelain. It is usually glazed to hold liquids and fired at lower temperatures (around 1,830°F to 2,010°F).
11. Unfired pottery that is completely dry but not yet bisque-fired. This includes pottery at the leather-hard or bone-dry stages.
13. Pottery that has been fired once but not glazed. The bisque firing strengthens the clay and prepares it for glazing.
14. A liquid mixture of clay and water used for attaching pieces of clay together, decorating pottery, or casting forms in molds. Slip can also be colored with oxides for decorative purposes.
15. Fired and ground-up clay particles added to clay bodies to improve strength, reduce shrinkage, and help with drying. Grog helps prevent cracking during firing.

1. Hard A stage of drying where the clay is still slightly flexible but firm enough to handle. At this stage, clay can be carved, joined, or trimmed without distorting the shape.
2. A type of low-fire, porous clay that has a reddish-brown color due to its iron content. It is often used for flower pots, sculptures, and architectural elements.
4. A flat disk, usually made of wood, plaster, or plastic, that is placed on the wheel or work surface to support clay as it’s thrown or hand-built. Bats make it easier to move pieces without handling them directly.
6. A glass-like coating applied to pottery that adds color, texture, and makes the piece waterproof. Glazes are applied before the final firing and fuse to the pottery in the kiln.
7. A technique where the surface of the clay is scratched or roughened before joining it to another piece. This ensures a stronger bond when using slip.
10. The act of shaping clay on a potter’s wheel. The term “throwing” refers to the process of forming the clay as it spins on the wheel using hand techniques. (You “throw a pot on a wheel.”)
12. The process of kneading clay to remove air bubbles and ensure uniform texture and moisture. This helps prevent cracking and warping during drying and firing.
14. A high-fire, durable clay that is non-porous and often used for functional ware like dishes and mugs. Fired at temperatures around 2,100°F to 2,400°F, stoneware is stronger than earthenware.