How to Make Greek Vases

The neck and handles of a Greek amphora

Traditional Greek vases are called amphora vases. They have a very distinct shape: They are tall, with a thin neck, two thin handles on either side and a pointed base---this base means that they cannot stand upright, without the help of a stand. These Greek vases were used to store olive oil, wine and other liquids and were traditionally around 20 inches in height. A 20-inch amphora could hold around 3 liters of liquid. Making a traditional Greek vase is a little tricky, but is easier if a half-sized one is made---having a handmade amphora is well worth the effort.

Things You'll Need

• Clay
• Potter's wheel
• Water
• Clay slip
• Knife
• Plastic sheet
• Sponge
• Calipers
• Bucket

Instructions

The Body

1. Center a 6-cubic-inch block of clay on the wheel, turning it into the base of the amphora---make it solid and wide at the bottom for support bringing the sides of the vase up, around 5 inches high, and 1/4 inch thick. The base will be shaped into a point later.

2. Roll out a series of around five coils, 1/4 inch in diameter---these will be used to create the body of the vase. Score the top edge of the base, by running the knife along the top every 1/2 inch or so---this gives better adhesiveness between the coiled clay and the base.

3. Spread some clay slip (water mixed with clay to the consistency of peanut butter) along the scored surface of the base, then place the coil over the slip and around the edges, spiraling it up upon itself to form around three layers. Smooth the coils together both on the inside and the outside of the vase---this adds strength, besides looking more aesthetically appealing.

4. Leave this portion of the vase to dry a little, about one day, underneath the plastic sheet---this allows the clay to harden enough to have the strength the carry the weight of the rest of the amphora.

5. Repeat the coiling, bringing the sides of the vase out to around 6 inches wide, and 13 inches tall.

6. Put the last coil onto the vase, bringing the diameter rapidly in to around 3 inches. Smooth, and let dry under the plastic sheet for another day---this is essential for the body of the vase to have enough strength to hold the weight of the neck.

The Neck

1. Center a piece of clay, roughly 5 cubic inches on the potter's wheel. Bring the neck up out of the clay, making it around 2 inches in diameter, and 5 inches long. Fashion a lip for the vase, around 2 inches wide, and make it around 1/2 inch wider than the rest of the neck.

2. Wet the sponge and smooth the surface of the neck while the wheel is spinning for a very smooth finish on the neck. Let the neck dry for about a day under the plastic sheet.

3. Measure the diameter of the opening on the top of the body with the calipers, and incise this width on the base of the vase neck. Cut the neck to this size with the knife, and thin the sides of the inside of the neck with the knife also.

4. Attach the neck to the body of the vase by scouring the surface edge of the body, applying slip and attaching the neck by rubbing the clay together, like with the coils of the body.

Handles

1. Take a fat coil of clay, around 2 inches wide and 5 inches long. Over a bucket of water, dip the pieces of clay, and stretch them between your hands, pulling the clay lengthwise.

2. Repeat this until you have two thin sausages of clay, around 1 inch thick. Form the sausages into two candy cane shapes, and leave to dry under the plastic sheet for about a day.

3. Attach handles by scouring the surface of the neck, just below the lip, and just above the place where the neck and body are joined. Place slip on the vase and attach the handles by rubbing the clay together as was done previously when making the body and attaching the neck. Leave to harden for one day under the plastic sheet.

4. Tip the vase on its end, and using the knife gently cut away at the base until you form a triangular tip, with a rounded point. Smooth the cuts as much as possible with the knife, then take the wet sponge and rub over the pointed bottom until it is smooth. Rub the sponge over the entire vase to ensure it is smooth.

5. Leave to dry for about two weeks under the plastic sheet, then fire when dry.

References

• Venetian Cat Studio: Anatomy of an Amphora

Resources

• The Potter's House: Drying and Firing