Your complete reference guide to pottery and ceramics terminology. From beginner basics to advanced techniques.
Clay that has been fired once to remove moisture and make it porous for glazing. Also called biscuit ware.
The process of making clay perfectly round and balanced on the pottery wheel before shaping.
Pyrometric cones that bend at specific temperatures to indicate kiln heat work. Used to monitor firing progress.
Low-fire clay body that remains porous after firing, typically fired between cone 04-06 (1830-1886°F).
The base of a pottery piece, often trimmed to create a ring that the piece sits on.
A glass-like coating applied to pottery that melts during firing to create a waterproof, decorative surface.
Unfired pottery that is completely dry and ready for bisque firing. Very fragile at this stage.
Ground-up fired clay added to clay bodies to reduce shrinkage and add texture.
High-temperature oven used to fire pottery, available in electric, gas, wood, and other fuel types.
Clay that has dried to a firm but still workable consistency, ideal for trimming and carving.
Decorating technique where colorants are painted over an unfired tin-white glaze.
Firing atmosphere with plenty of oxygen, typically producing bright, true colors in glazes.
The ability of clay to be shaped and hold its form without cracking or breaking.
High-fire, white clay body that becomes vitreous and translucent when fired to maturity.
The technique of drawing clay upward to form walls when throwing on the pottery wheel.
Japanese firing technique involving removing hot pottery from kiln and placing in combustible materials.
Firing atmosphere with limited oxygen, often creating unique color effects in clay and glazes.
Liquid clay mixture used for decorating, joining pieces, or casting in molds.
Mid to high-fire clay body that becomes vitreous and durable, typically fired cone 6-10.
Low-fire, iron-rich clay that fires to an orange-red color, often used for garden pottery.
The process of shaping clay on a pottery wheel to create round, symmetrical forms.
Removing excess clay from the bottom of a piece when leather hard to refine the form.
Colored decoration applied to bisque ware before glazing, fired under a clear or transparent glaze.
The process of clay particles fusing together during firing to create a strong, non-porous body.
Kneading clay to remove air bubbles and create uniform consistency before use.
The flat, round surface on top of a pottery wheel where clay is centered and shaped.
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The process of making clay perfectly round and balanced on the pottery wheel before shaping.
The process of shaping clay on a pottery wheel to create round, symmetrical forms.
Clay that has been fired once to remove moisture and make it porous for glazing. Also called biscuit ware.
A glass-like coating applied to pottery that melts during firing to create a waterproof, decorative surface.
Clay that has dried to a firm but still workable consistency, ideal for trimming and carving.
Kneading clay to remove air bubbles and create uniform consistency before use.
High-temperature oven used to fire pottery, available in electric, gas, wood, and other fuel types.
Removing excess clay from the bottom of a piece when leather hard to refine the form.
Unfired pottery that is completely dry and ready for bisque firing. Very fragile at this stage.
Mid to high-fire clay body that becomes vitreous and durable, typically fired cone 6-10.
Common ceramics terms that are often mispronounced: