Page 19 - JOAApril21

The W rld

the P tter
& & by Jessica Kosinski

or as long as there have been people on the Earth, Of these, the color and consistency of the clay are
hand-crafted goods have existed. People have had especially important. Often it is a dead giveaway as to
Fto learn to make their own shelters, tools, clothing, where the clay used was gathered. Clay in each part of
weapons, and so much more throughout the centuries. the world has its own unique properties that can change
Certain hand-made goods have remarkably shaped the the color, strength, and texture of the finished product.
world with their innovative designs and functions. When these traits are combined with advancements in
There are few areas where that is more prevalent than in pottery techniques, certain parts of the world became
the world of pottery. Potters have consistently created known for very specific types of pottery. For example,
some of the most visually stunning works of art, not China is known for being the birthplace of both hard-
to mention functional vessels as simple as bowls or as paste and soft-paste porcelain, although the hard-paste
complex as large vessels. They also created their Ancient Chinese Tea Bowl came first in the 7th or 8th century.
own specific tools and engineered the kilns used to dry People make pottery using complex processes,
the crockery. In many cases, both function and artistry have been making it a synthesized material. It has to be formed into certain
clearly represented. shapes, heated, often painted, sometimes glazed, and otherwise
The role of potters as originators and inventors has influenced our processed. In fact, evidence suggests it was the first synthetic material
lifestyles to this day. Many of their works have even served to give us humans ever produced.
insights into ancient history. Potters’ techniques have changed over Another thing to understand about pottery is that the raw clay used
time to accommodate innovations and mass-produce pieces for the to make it is found readily all over the world. It has been that way for
public, adding to their roles as suppliers and creators. centuries. For that reason, pottery is unlike certain other synthesized
materials created over the years as practically every region had early
Defining Pottery versions of it.
At its root, pottery is simply the forming of clay into hard objects
using heat. However, pottery is much more than just playing with clay. Some of the Earliest Examples of Pottery
Skilled potters have shaped the science used in producing this craft over Although there is no way of knowing exactly when the first pottery
time to ensure it is sturdy and wear-resistant, or that it can capture the techniques were used, pottery is a very sturdy medium. For that reason,
artistry with color, design, and finish. Some of the vessels pieces of it have survived for thousands of years. Those
and objects they have created have served practical examples give us a glimpse into how and when pottery
purposes, such as those allowing people to organize and may have been initially produced by certain civilizations.
protect their goods and ingredients. Others are amazing So far, Asia is the area with the earliest examples of
artistic pieces displayed as part of their cultures and pottery archaeologists have found. One particular dig
now on display in many of the world’s top museums site in Japan has yielded examples of pottery that may
as an integral part of history. be up to 16,500 years old. That site is called Odai
Yamamoto. There is also evidence that about
Different Pottery Types 13,000 years ago Japanese people were producing
Before we can delve too far into the history pottery to serve practical purposes on a regular
of pottery, it must be understood that the basis. In particular, clay pots in that region
word “pottery” encompasses many different during that time were regularly used to hold
types of finished products. For example, certain foods, showing how pottery played a
stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain are role in the agricultural industry of the time.
all types of pottery. However, they are Although it sounds like Japan has some of
distinctly different from one another. the oldest pottery in the world, China has its
Several factors create differences between beat, based on archaeological evidence found
them that today can help us date pottery, so far. Xianrendong is an archaeological site in
determine the region in which it was made, China where pottery dating back as far as
and sometimes the maker. Such factors include 20,900 years has been found, making it the oldest
but are not always limited to: pottery in the world. Another Chinese dig site,
called Yuchanyan, yielded pottery that may be as
much as 18,900 years old. Interestingly, both of
• Color and Consistency of the Clay
those sites are located in caves.
• Temperature Reached During Firing
• Type of Firing Process Used
This Large “Post-Sasanian” Glazed Pottery Storage Jar, Iran,
• Glazing, Painting, and Other Related Processes 8th/10th century, sold at Christies for $4,170 in 2013

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April 2021