Types of Tools Used for Pottery
According to the clay-working magazine "Ceramics Today" (see References), the ancient art of pottery-making underwent a revolution in the third millennium B.C.E., when potters in Mesopotamia began creating their pieces on spinning turntables: predecessors to modern, electrically powered throwing wheels. Since that time, "throwing," or creating pottery on spinning wheels, has become the most dominant form of the art, and over the centuries, artisans have developed tools specifically suited for the technique.
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Throwing Stick
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Potters use a throwing stick for shaping clay pieces as they spin on the wheel. As professional potter Bob Carver notes on his website Pottery Tools (see References), you can use a basic, straight throwing stick for opening, or shaping, the interior chamber of your pottery vessel, while you can use curved and S-shaped sticks for exterior work.
Trimming Tool
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While throwing sticks can help in the creation of a piece's overall shape, trimming tools provide potters with the ability to create more intricate details. A typical trimming tool consists of a wooden handle with a metal cutting loop at its end. In some instances, these loops are adjustable, allowing you to more precisely control the size of the sections you trim away.
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Potter's Knife
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A potter's knife, also known as a fettling knife, features a flat, flexible blade that tapers into a pointed end. According to the pottery supplies website Sculpture House (see References), potters use the knives for shaping and adding texture to their pieces.
Scraper
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As the Goshen College site (see References) notes, potters use metal scrapers for smoothing their pieces. The tools feature sharp, hooked or rounded metal blades.
Elephant Ear Sponge
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Potters use elephant ear sponges for moistening and smoothing out pottery pieces on the wheel, as well as for applying paint to them. According to the Natural Bath and Body Shop (see References), the sponges, which are shaped roughly like their name suggests, have a coarse surface on one side and a smooth surface on the other.
Brush
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In addition to using sponges for painting and moistening, potters also rely on brushes. One of the most common is the bamboo brush, which is the go-to tool for decorating and adding small details to pieces.
Needles
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Pottery needles are long, thin, tempered pieces of metal that are often mounted to wooden handles. As the Goshen College site notes, the tools allow potters to make straight, even cuts along the top edges of pieces while they spin on the wheel.
Texturing Tools
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Texturing tools cover a broad range. Virtually any item can become a texturing tool when you apply it to the outer edges or surfaces of a pieces spinning on the wheel. However, two common options include using tools with cutting textured wires, and tools with serrated or toothed edges.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit making pottery image by Avesun from Fotolia.com
