Clay History Ms. Stanberry

Native Americans There is evidence of early human settlement on this continent dating from at least 25,000 B.C., long before recorded history began. Although it is unclear how long pottery has been a part of that history. Acoma women gathering at a sacred cistern ca.1910, photograph by Edward S. Curtis.

Native Americans Most of our knowledge of the first American Indians is based on their clay work alone; fired clay is the only material on earth that does not change with time. Pot Fired In A Basket

Native Americans Initially, hand built vessels were made solely for utilitarian purposes, with little consideration for artistry.

Native Americans Later, decorative designs began to appear on Indian pots. If the symbols are important rather than mere embellishment, outsiders are not likely to be privy to the potter's intent. Mimbres burial bowl, ca. A.D. 1000-1150.School of American Research Collections in theMuseum of New Mexico. Photograph by Arthur Taylor.

Cherokee Pottery Traditional Cherokee Pots were coil pots. They were smoothed with large wooden paddles and stamped with intricate designed special to the Cherokee people.

Cherokee Pottery Round pots were originally used for cooking. Traditional Cherokee “effigy” pots were shaped like people, fish, birds and other important animals to the Cherokee people.

Cherokee Pottery Fragments of pottery found in this region have inspired new pieces.

Getting the Clay: Matt Jones “This is clay in the ground just beneath the topsoil in a tobacco field belonging to Neil Woody on Turkey Creek in Leicester, NC, about eight miles from the pottery. In geological terms, it is an alleuvial or secondary clay, meaning that it has eroded from its point of origin and been carried by water before being deposited by slowly receding flood waters.  The locals call it "blue pipe clay" for its bluish color and because it was used by Indians and settlers to fashion tobacco pipe heads.” Getting the Clay: Matt Jones

Excavating: Matt Jones “After getting Neil's permission, my neighbor and friend Terry Brown excavated approximately 200 tons (10 dumptruck loads) of this material and we trucked it eight miles over Earlys Mountain to its new home behind the pottery in Sandy Mush.”

A New Home: Matt Jones “After digging, we replaced the blue pipe clay we had removed from the field with red dirt from behind the pottery.  This arrangement seemed to suit Neil (our tobacco farmer) because the red dirt, which many non-potters call "clay" is a rather sandy mixture that drains much better than the moisture-retaining pipe clay.”

Clay Vocabulary Ms. Stanberry

Coiled Pottery One of the oldest ways of forming pottery. Long strands of clay which are laid on top of each other and joined through blending coil to coil. Coil pieces can be almost any shape or size.

Pinch To make a clay form by beginning with a ball of clay and inserting your thumb, continue to press out the form rotating the clay.

Slab Built Clay slabs are cut to shape and joined together using scoring and wet clay called slip. Slabs can be draped over or into forms, rolled around cylinders or built up into geometric forms.

Score To mark on or roughen an area of the clay you wish to join. Such as a place where a handle is added.

Wheel thrown A piece of clay is placed on a potter's wheel head which spins. The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion.

Free Form The process of pressing and pushing the clay form around until you obtain the desired shape.

What Kind Of Clay Are You Using In Class? Earthenware - A low-fire clay. Porous and not waterproof. To be functional, It must be glazed.

Slip A fine, liquid form of clay applied to the surface of a vessel prior to firing. Slip fills in pores and gives uniform color.

Glaze A coating of material applied to ceramics before firing that forms a glass-like surface. Glazes can be colored, opaque, translucent or matte.

Firing Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, fusing the clay particles. Primitive pottery is usually fired on the ground or in pits with whatever flammable material is available.

Kiln The furnace in which ceramics are fired. Kilns can be electric, natural gas, wood, coal, fuel oil or propane. Materials used to heat the kiln can affect the work; wood ash can build up on the surfaces of a piece and form a glaze at high temperatures. Some potters introduce chemicals into the kiln to influence the effects of the firing.

Leather Hard A damp condition of the clay when it is too firm to bend yet soft enough to be carved.

Bone dry stage No visible moisture – no dampness to touch – Clay is ready to be fired

Greenware Unfired clay ready or nearly ready for firing.

Bisque Clay that has been fired once, usually at a low temperature.

Pyrometric Cone The device used for measuring the temp in the kiln. Specific cones melt at specific temperatures.

Donald Penny Cremains Vessel No 4 Porcelain 6-3/4"H x 6-1/2"W x 6-1/2"D $ 250 Currently On Display At The Blue Spiral 1. Asheville, NC.

Sang Roberson Black Box  Terra cotta, jasper stone, waxed linen 6"H x 10-1/2"W x 10-1/2"D $ 1300 Currently in Blue Spiral 1 Asheville NC