How was pottery made?
After clay was washed to remove impurities, and worked into a uniform consistency, most vessels were “thrown on a wheel.” A lump of clay was put a horizontal disk turned by the potter’s leg. With wet hands the potter formed the clay into the desired shape. He then set the piece aside to dry. When dry, it was often dipped to a water-based slurry of ground sand and metallic salts called a “glaze,” and again allowed to dry. Dried pieces were then stacked in the large brick kiln outside of the shop. The kiln door was bricked up and fires started at the base of the kiln. After a day or two of firing, the kiln reached a temperature of 1850 F, which transformed the clay into a durable ceramic. The loaded kiln was then allowed to cool slowly, after which the pottery was removed, ready for use.
