8 Fun Facts About Pottery

Just glazing beautiful bowls and mugs is not the full picture: pottery is a craft that has been carried on for hundreds of thousands of years. If you are thinking of sending your children to pottery summer camps for kids or if this interesting hobby somehow caught your curiosity, then buckle up, for here are some mind-boggling facts for you. So let’s grab a cup of coffee – in the most amazing mug – and plunge into the realm of ceramics!

8 Facts About Pottery That You Didn’t Know

Typically when someone mentions pottery what they’re referring to is just those plates and the pots. But it is much more than that. Here are some wonderful facts that may assist you in ensuring that your child is required to go to pottery summer camps for kids this summer. So, without further ado, let’s plunge in!

Pottery Fact #1: Clay Can Be Recycled Indefinitely!

Here's a fun fact: Clay is a naturally occurring substance and it makes it safe for use in the environment. You can reuse it as much as you want only if you do not throw it away of course! The advantage of such a material is that when you are done with a project, just gather the extra clay, mix it in some water and it is ready for the next use. On the contrary, the recycled clay tends to get better with time. They also become easily manipulable, which, in our opinion, is amazing when it comes to working with them.

Pottery Fact #2: The Oldest Pottery Was Discovered In China!

Archaeologists discovered ceramic artifacts more than 20,000 years old in China's Xianrendong Cave in 2012, which is rather astounding! That suggests ancient people were producing pots and bowls long ago. The findings demonstrate how long humanity has been creating and utilizing ceramics.

Pottery Fact #3: It Is Not Pottery Until It Is Fired!

So you've produced a cool clay masterpiece; now what? You must heat it before it can be considered pottery. Firing implies heating the clay up to extremely high temperatures in a kiln. This procedure alters the clay's chemical composition, transforming it from a soft, moldable substance to a hard, waterproof component. Without fire, if your clay became wet, it would simply transform back into mud!

Pottery Fact #4: Glazing Makes Pottery Pop!

Have you ever wondered how pottery acquires its stunning colors and polished finishes? This is glazing for you. Glazing is a method for applying a specific liquid to pottery prior to heating it. This liquid includes minerals, which give the pottery its brilliant colors and glossy finish once baked. It's like the finishing touch to make your piece stand out. 

Pottery Fact #5: Traditional Japanese Pottery Requires A Week To Fire!

Japanese pottery is popular for its distinctive outcomes. To your surprise, it is not easy to achieve. Traditional Japanese artisans utilize unique wood-fired kilns. They are known as anagama or noborigama. Besides, the process of firing can last up to a week! They keep the kiln running all day and night before allowing it to cool gradually. It's a time-consuming process, but the outcomes are breathtaking.

Pottery Fact #6: Porcelain Has Transformed The World!

China's discovery of porcelain was significant. During the Tang dynasty, porcelain became well-known for its durability and beauty, which fueled global trade. This new substance raised the threshold for ceramics, influencing how people created and traded pottery around the world. It's astounding to think that something so lovely can have such a significant influence!

Pottery Fact #7: Pottery Styles From Around The World!

Pottery is not just a single thing; it differs greatly based on where you are. Japanese raku ceramics are recognized for their spontaneous and wacky appearance, but African pottery frequently has hand-built motifs with significant cultural significance. Renaissance-era majolica pottery in Italy is known for its vibrant, intricate paintings. Each region's design conveys a unique tale, incorporating local customs and originality.

Pottery Fact #8: The Potter's Wheel Is Old, But Not As Old As Pottery!

A very helpful tool in pottery is the potter’s wheel and this apparatus was invented roughly 6ooo years ago. But there's something cooler: unbelievable, but it is noteworthy that the oldest known pot was found to be nearly 25,000 years old. Although the wheel was applied in the molding of the potters’ output for quite a long time, pottery has been in existence much earlier. It's astonishing to consider how this craft has grown over millennia. 

Conclusion

Pottery goes beyond being one of those activities that people engage in during their leisure. It is an interesting history that should be told at every given opportunity. Moreover, pottery has intrigued our imagination and creativity since age-old times and continues to do so today. Therefore, each time one is confronted with a ceramic item, he or she should comprehend that it is not only a pot or a plate; it is art and history at its best, which has been in existence for thousands of years.

So, if you too want to get in touch with the awesomeness of pottery, join pottery sessions at FEELartistic Studio. Why wait? We offer the best sessions without burning holes in your pocket.