In Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques, Rhonda Willers provides an historical overview, as well as technical information on how to make, mix, and apply terra sigillatas. In addition, she presents contemporary artist profiles and techniques to enrich and encourage your terra sigillata development. This book is loaded with techniques. Twelve Process sections featuring illustrated, step-by-step instruction on making, siphoning, and blending terra sigillatas. In addition, you ll find 33 Try It Like sections featuring artist profiles of contemporary ceramic artists explaining how they use and create terra sigillatas for their work.

Bright red terra sigillata pots dating to the first three centuries CE can be found throughout the Western Roman provinces. The pots' widespread distribution and recognisability make them key evidence in the effort to reconstruct the Roman Empire's economy and society. Drawing on recent ideas in material culture, this book asks a radically new question: what was it about the pots themselves that allowed them to travel so widely and be integrated so quickly into a range of contexts and practices? To answer this question, Van Oyen offers a fresh analysis in which objects are no longer passive props, but rather they actively shape historical trajectories.

This book covers techniques of firing and finishing at low temperature without using glazes. Many ancient cultures and contemporary potters use methods of low firing, adding slips and burnishing pieces to create a more natural finish. The advantages are that it can be done without a kiln using old dustbins, pits dug out of the earth, or bonfires, meaning that providing you have outdoor space, it can be done on a low budget. This book is a step-by-step practical approach and beginner's guide, which focuses on how to do low firing and natural finishes, with many illustrations of beautiful work by contemporary makers. Chapters include burnishing, terra sigillata, smoke-firing, pit-firing, saggar firing and raku techniques.

Clear, step-by-step instructions simplify both complex and simple designs. Informative photos of the author working in her studio clarify each design.

Demonstrating four different clay-firing techniques, this book illustrates the diverse results that each can produce.

Based on her study of Greek pottery sherds and vases and on her profound hands-on knowledge of pottery construction techniques, including experiments with the potting of Attic shapes, Toby Schreiber describes how ancient Greek potters constructed their vases. Drawn in large part from vases and fragments in the collection of the Getty Museum, the many photographs that accompany the text show how much even seemingly insignificant sherds may reveal about technique when studied by someone knowledgeable about potting. The drawings - all done by the author - demonstrate step by step with admirable clarity how the potter executed his craft. Written by a master potter, this is a book both for those who know little or nothing about potting techniques and for those who already have an understanding of these matters.

A well illustrated guide to finishing ceramic work without using a glaze.

"Every day, ceramic artists encounter techniques, processes, materials, problems, and more that leave them with questions such as: How? Why? Where? Clay: A Studio Handbook answers those questions with authoritative, comprehensive coverage of topics ranging from studio safety, finding, making, and improvising tools and equipment, firing processes and theory, and much more. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in ceramics, Pitelka has created the most practical, all-inclusive studio handbook for students, studio artists, educators, and all those interested in the art of clay. Ten chapters, addressing the full range of ceramic processes, bring a lifetime of ceramic knowledge directly into the hands of potters. Written with concern for safe and efficient studio operation, diligent attention is paid to safety practices. A thorough table of contents, glossary, and index make finding answers quick and convenient. Numerous step-by-step illustrations guide readers through the many techniques."--Publisher's description.

"In the Potters Kitchen comes out of Sumi von Dassow's love of both cooking and pottery, and her desire to share both passions with as many people as possible. Besides her own explorations in the studio and kitchen, she's reached out to potters who share her passion of food and clay to make this book a truly one-of-a-kind experience. You'll discover information on materials, glazes and what to consider when making pots to cook in and serve on. You'll also find many step-by-step techniques for creating casseroles to tagines, as well as scores of examples from dozens of artists, well-tested recipes and more. If you are a potter who loves to cook (or a cook who loves to pot), happy potting, and bon appetit!"--Back cover.