Slab Construction Ceramics

Slabbing clay is a handbuilding pottery technique that has been around for centuries.

Slab construction ceramics. Before potters began using pottery wheels simple tools were used to create clay pottery. Found in indian and mesopotamian architecture ceramic tiles are believed to have been constructed from slabs of clay since 14 000 b c. Effigy urn in the form of the sun god from 12th 14th century mesoamerica is formed from a slab of unglazed clay also called earthenware. The key elements to success are.

Slabbing clay is a technique the includes rolling out slabs of clay and then cutting out pieces and attaching them together to create pots cups and urns. Clay is rolled into thin sheets or slabs and then formed into shapes or forms. Press the two edges together. Slab building is one of the basic ceramics building techniques.

Making the clay slabs is the first step in all slab built pottery construction. Slabs of clay may be placed over rocks bowls plastic forms etc. The figure s elaborate garb jewelry and headdress represent the god s divinity as the protector against everything from drought to illness. This is an important foundation.

To create interesting shapes. You may make paper patterns to follow if a form that has a number of sides is desired. Shaping clay by inserting the thumb of one hand into the clay and lightly pinching pressing with the thumb on the inside and fingers on the outside while slowly turning the clay to enlarge the center opening of the clay. Roll out a thin coil of sticky clay and place it along one edge.

What makes these creations unique is the hand artistry and the type of potter s clay you use. This project consists of two throphys that are ready to accept 16 winning plaques on each side with sgraffito drawings and writing. Mistakes made in the creation of slabs may destroy the piece in later stages of construction. Use a pointed tool to trim the slab of clay to desired size.

The worksheet has written instructions as well as visu. Hand building pottery using slabs of clay is an exciting way to create shapes that could never be produced using a potter s wheel or that would be difficult to achieve if you are doing hand construction using coils of clay.