Clay Pottery Identification

Pottery can be identified by the materials and the techniques used.

Clay pottery can be identified in a number of ways. The marks made by the potter, the materials used, as well as the process and techniques all become clues when figuring out where a piece came from.

Clay

There are three types of clay pottery: earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Earthenware is usually made out of locally found clay and is fired at a low temperature. Stoneware is fired at a high temperature, which results in a less porous object. Porcelain has the most strength because of the ingredients used.

Porcelain

Porcelain can be classified into hard paste, soft paste and bone china. Hard paste contains china stone. Soft paste contains glasslike substances that make it softer than the other two. Bone china contains bone ash, which strengthens the finished translucent piece.

Decoration

Different methods of decorating the piece, such as various painting techniques, sprigging and reticulation, can indicate the time period when a piece was made.

Glaze

Technique and ingredients of glazes can also narrow down the possibilities. Some common glazes include salt, tin and lead. How pottery piece was fired after being glazed may also leave helpful clues.

Marks

For identification purposes, a mark can be impressed, incised, printed or painted on a piece. Impressed and incised marks are done before firing. Impressed marks are stamped on. Printed or painted marks can be made either before glazing or after glazing, before a final firing.

References

• Artistic Tile & Stone: A History of Pottery
• Antique Marks: Collecting Antique Ceramics