Stoneware And Porcelain: The Art Of High Fired Pottery

Concise and authoritative, this is a magnificent book about the traditions, techniques, and materials which are specific to high-fired pottery. Concerned not only with the methods of the craft but also with the standards, meanings, and values involved in pottery making, the book is indispensable for all who are interested in making stoneware and porcelain or in knowing more about this art. Includes a brief history of Oriental and European stonewares and porcelains written from the potter's point of view. The following sections contain complete information on the composition and special characteristics of stoneware and porcelain clays and clay bodies. four chapters are devoted to the composition, coloration, and application of high-fired and natural glazes. The author discusses decorative methods at length, giving practical information on resist techniques, underglaze and overglaze processes, and various textural treatments. Valuable suggestions are included on throwing and other methods of shaping. The design and construction of various types of kilns for high-firing are described, and detailed information is included on firing, materials and equipment, the pottery shop, and efficient working procedures. The many diagrams and tables serve to visually elucidate the text, and the photographs, accompanied by detailed descriptions and analyses, illustrate both contemporary and past stoneware and porcelain pieces.