by Bethany E. Power
Pottery is one of the world's oldest art forms, with the origins of clays pots dating back to around 29,000BC, although it wasn't until around 4,000BC that the production of pottery really kicked in. Although techniques and materials have developed over the years, the general idea of using clay to create everything from functional bowls to refined figurines remains the same.
There are many different geographic techniques to creating pottery all over the world, with countries from China to Mexico creating their own unique yet equally beautiful ceramics. There are, however, just four main types of ceramics; earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and bone china, and each has its own unique quality.
One of the cheapest types of ceramics is earthenware, which, despite being perhaps easiest to work with, is the weakest, and is often prone to chipping. Stoneware, just like earthenware, is a cheaper option, but is instead stronger and more opaque than the previous type. Porcelain is stronger still, with the added benefit of not needing to be glazed due to its impermeable nature. Many potters, however, do opt to glaze porcelain with coloured enamels for the sake of decoration.
The final form of ceramic is bone china, which is one of the most popular and sought after types of pottery around the world. Best loved for its natural whiteness and translucency, bone china is also the strongest, and is therefore often used to make thinner products for a more refined finish.
Today, the home of British pottery is the county of Staffordshire, although more precisely it is Stoke-on-Trent which most people consider the home of modern pottery manufacture. Ever since the 17th Century when Stoke-on-Trent became one of the first industrialised cities, the city has produced the best ceramics in the country, and can boast being the home and creator of the likes of Royal Doulton and Wedgewood. Thanks to the ideal location of Staffordshire, with the immediate abundance of coal and clay, the area remains the home to the best ceramic products in the UK.
There are many different geographic techniques to creating pottery all over the world, with countries from China to Mexico creating their own unique yet equally beautiful ceramics. There are, however, just four main types of ceramics; earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and bone china, and each has its own unique quality.
One of the cheapest types of ceramics is earthenware, which, despite being perhaps easiest to work with, is the weakest, and is often prone to chipping. Stoneware, just like earthenware, is a cheaper option, but is instead stronger and more opaque than the previous type. Porcelain is stronger still, with the added benefit of not needing to be glazed due to its impermeable nature. Many potters, however, do opt to glaze porcelain with coloured enamels for the sake of decoration.
The final form of ceramic is bone china, which is one of the most popular and sought after types of pottery around the world. Best loved for its natural whiteness and translucency, bone china is also the strongest, and is therefore often used to make thinner products for a more refined finish.
Today, the home of British pottery is the county of Staffordshire, although more precisely it is Stoke-on-Trent which most people consider the home of modern pottery manufacture. Ever since the 17th Century when Stoke-on-Trent became one of the first industrialised cities, the city has produced the best ceramics in the country, and can boast being the home and creator of the likes of Royal Doulton and Wedgewood. Thanks to the ideal location of Staffordshire, with the immediate abundance of coal and clay, the area remains the home to the best ceramic products in the UK.
About the Author:
There is a great range of Staffordshire pottery on Staffordshiregifts.org.uk, with a wide range of other products such as bone china flowers for your valentine
