- The earliest piece of pottery found is a figurine that dates back to between 29,000 and 25,000 BC called Venus of Dolni Vestonice. This artifact was found in an area of what is now the Czech Republic. It is a statue of a nude woman that predates the use of fired clay, which is what most pottery is made of. Chinese pottery dates back to 10,000 BC. Originally, pottery was made with clay that was mixed or tempered with sand, grit or crushed pottery. This was molded together and then fired or heated over a bonfire. A revolution in pottery production happened somewhere between 6000 and 4000 BC in Mesopotamia, where the potter's wheel was invented. Other methods used before the potter's wheel was invented were coiling, cording and beating, which were all done by hand.
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The hands are the basic tools used for pottery. They take a small clay ball and shape and form it. Sometimes this process calls for other tools such as a potter's wheel, turn table, shaping tools, rolling tools, cutting tools and finishing tools. Once the clay is molded it is then painted with a glaze and decorated. After the glazing and decorating the clay is then fired in a kiln, which is a large oven. Different temperatures are used for different clay materials. Once this whole process has taken place along with the firing of the article, it can finally be called pottery.
Pottery has as many functions as there are pieces. It can be used as a decoration in the home, wall art, bowls, urns, vases and much more. - Some types of pottery found in the world today include ceramics, earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Ceramics are fragile pieces of pottery made from inorganic and non-metallic substances. This type of pottery has a hard, porous surface that is highly glazed and turns very brittle from the high heat used to create it. Earthenware although partly ceramic is one of the first types of pottery found in history. It is made from red clays and is glazed to make it water tight. It is low cost and easier to make but it is not as strong as stoneware. Stoneware is essentially man made stone in the pottery world. It is fired at a high heat and the colors are often gray or brown due to the impurities of the materials used to form it. It is scratch resistant and durable. American stoneware was prominent during the 19th century for housewares which included plate settings, crock's, pitcher's, butter pots and jars and jugs. Stoneware found existing from this time was very elaborately designed with figures, animals and historical scenes. Porcelain is a fine pottery often referred to as China since that was where it was soley produced at least until the 17th century. It is known for its thin, translucent quality and also its whiteness.
- Pottery has been used for all types of things as long as it has been in existence. It features all types and varieties of finished products to chose from including finely crafted, elaborately decorated china to the more durable stoneware versions. It is used in our homes for decorations, dinners and drinks, practical uses or just for aesthetic value.
- Due to its functionality and beauty, pottery remains to be an integral part of daily life. At the same, its durability continues to provide a vibrant, living link to civilizations of the past.
