This book investigates how British contemporary artists who work with clay have managed, in the space of a single generation, to take ceramics from niche-interest craft to the pristine territories of the contemporary art gallery. This development has been accompanied (and perhaps propelled) by the kind of critical discussion usually reserved for the 'higher' discipline of sculpture. Ceramics is now encountering and colliding with sculpture, both formally and intellectually. Laura Gray examines what this means for the old hierarchies between art and craft, the identity of the potter, and the character of a discipline tied to a specific material but wanting to participate in critical discussions that extend far beyond clay.

Application of heat to clay transforms it into a ceramic, and thus the history and technical features of structures supplying that heat - kilns - are of considerable importance. The 14 chapters in this volume discuss ancient and historic kilns from the viewpoint of their excavation, their operational principles, and their contributions to an understanding of ceramic production within ancient economies.

This book offers creative ways to transform plain glass bowls, vases, mirrors, picture frames, plant pots and other home accessories. You can use the timeless craft skills of painting glass, stained-glass construction and glass mosaic to produce traditional and contemporary objects to decorate your home. You can paint small decorative motifs to champagne glasses, paint bold, abstract designs on an unusual window hanging, or 'etch' a design into a glass vase. You can make a trinket box or a decorative planter using easy-to-follow techniques of cutting glass and soldering, reproduce the effect of stained-glass windows with self-adhesive lead, or learn the art of mosaic using glass tesserae to decorate plant pots, lantems and a tabletop. Working creatively with glass is a skill that anyone can learn and the range of specialist craft materials and equipment available is increasing, helping to make light work of traditional crafts. This practical, highly illustrated book presents over 40 beautiful projects to create.Using the distinct techniques of painting glass, cutting and glass construction, stained-glass effects and glass mosaics, each chapter opens with material and equipment lists as well as pages of techniques that explain all you need to know to achieve success. From a Venetian perfume bottle and leaded picture frames to stylish glass window decorations these projects are sure to inspire.

In Conscious Crafts: Pottery, maker Lucy Davidson reveals the meditative nature of working with clay and its wellbeing benefits for slowing down, creativity and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and pottery is a popular meditative craft. Drawing on the traditions of hand making, Lucy has created 20 modern makes with air dry and polymer clay - all without the need for a wheel or kiln: imperfect pots; coasters; necklace beads; abstract earrings; terrazzo-style bracelets; bird brooches; pinch pot tea holders; light pull; incense holder; botanical & feather wall hangings; festive decorations; potted herb markers; clay 'leaf' bowls; plant hanger pots; indoor planters; miniature bunting; serving dishes; and seaside vases. She shares the basic techniques to pottery and shows how these can be explored and personalized for different projects, as well as making your own clay and memories. Clean photography, contemporary illustration and heart-affirming text are beautifully mixed together to celebrate art of making for a handmade future. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, Conscious Crafts: Pottery gives you the raw skills to get started with this fulfilling craft, and shows how the pottery experience and the satisfaction of creating your own unique makes can create happiness. The Conscious Crafts series places mindfulness and well-being at the heart of making. Picking out proven meditative crafts and bespoke authors, these practical, contemporary guides are an inviting introduction to reconnecting head, heart, and hands. Also available from the series: Conscious Crafts: Quilting/Knitting/Whittling.

When your favorite cup is broken, kitsugi can bring new life. Instead of lamenting the breakage embrace and love the opportunity to create something new and beautiful through mending. This is the appeal of kintsugi. Kintsugi is the mindful Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics and glassware by appreciating the cracks and chips as design elements--bringing new life to cherished items. Kintsugi:The Wabi Sabi Art of Japanese Ceramic Repair shares traditional methods you can practice in your own home. Step-by-step lessons in repairs suited to every level of experiences--filling cracks to completely rebuilding and finishing a broken piece--fill the pages of this in-depth yet unintimidating guide. Ceramics and lacquer guru Kaori Mochinaga offers a complete course in using urushi lacquer and metallic powder in the traditional Japanese way. Your broken piece soon becomes whole again, and more meaningful than ever before. From assessing the damages and selecting the repair methods, to applying the finishing touches, you'll learn all the essential kintsugi techniques, including: How to seal a fine crack or repair a chipped rim Techniques for rebuilding a shard, restoring a handle, even reconstructing a multi-shard piece And much more--and all of it with the use of non-toxic lacquers and powders There's something here for every type of repair--from clean, simple breaks to more challenging reconstructions as you learn the techniques. Assemble your tools, set up your workspace, and let this book guide you through the mindful art of kintsugi!

The practice of ceramics is steeped in history and tradition. For thousands of years humans have exploited the versatile qualities of clay as a material to produce items ranging from humble utilitarian vessels integral to family living, right through to exquisite works of art. Ceramics Masterclass explores this diverse discipline by showcasing 100 of the most innovative and inspiring artists past and present, analysing the techniques and methods used to create the works, and the concepts which underpin their creative process. It shows how to recreate intricate still-life dioramas like 15th-century artist Bernard Palissy, explore narrative like Grayson Perry and convey sensitivity to material like Phoebe Cummings. Arranged thematically, Ceramics Masterclass includes chapters on vessels, batch production, sculptures, figurative works, installation and expanded field. Perfect for students, amateur ceramicists and professionals, this book represents a global perspective of historical and contemporary approaches to clay and be a catalyst for discovery and intrigue.

An essential guide to working with porcelain, from its history and composition, to building, decorating and firing. For thousands of years, the special properties of porcelain - its delicacy, translucency and remarkable strength - have fascinated and inspired, and these qualities continue to appeal to ceramic artists. However, porcelain is also a notoriously demanding medium that presents unique challenges. In this inspiring practical guide, porcelain artist Vivienne Foley introduces you to the material she has been working with for more than forty years. The book takes a comprehensive look at all aspects of porcelain, and covers everything from its composition and workability, to decorating and glazing. Learn about methods of throwing and building - with a focus on techniques and faults specific to porcelain, explore drying and firing, and make use of a useful troubleshooting section on all the most likely problems and faults along with suggested remedies. Beginning with the fascinating history of making in porcelain, from the Imperial kilns of China to the Meissen factory of Germany and beyond, this book gives you an insight into the way porcelain has been used in the past and how it has been adapted and developed for contemporary work, by current artists who are constantly looking to push the boundaries of possibility. Illustrated throughout with helpful how-to images, as well as the beautiful works of current artists, Porcelain is the essential handbook for any ceramic student or artist seeking to understand and work with this extraordinary material.

A FLAME TREE NOTEBOOK. Beautiful and luxurious the journals combine high-quality production with magnificent art. Perfect as a gift, and an essential personal choice for writers, notetakers, travellers, students, poets and diarists. Features a wide range of well-known and modern artists, with new artworks published throughout the year. BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED. The highly crafted covers are printed on foil paper, embossed then foil stamped, complemented by the luxury binding and rose red end-papers. The covers are created by our artists and designers who spend many hours transforming original artwork into gorgeous 3d masterpieces. PRACTICAL, EASY TO USE. Flame Tree Notebooks come with practical features too: a pocket at the back for scraps and receipts; two ribbon markers to help keep track of more than just a to-do list; robust ivory text paper, printed with lines; and when you need to collect other notes or scraps of paper the magnetic side flap keeps everything neat and tidy. THE ARTIST. Tiffany was highly skilled in jewellery design, ceramics, enamels, and metalwork but he is best known for his beautiful stained-glass designs. Using opalescent glass in a variety of colours and textures, he created a stunning range of jewel-like Art Nouveau works. THE FINAL WORD. As William Morris said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

A FLAME TREE NOTEBOOK. Beautiful and luxurious the journals combine high-quality production with magnificent art. Perfect as a gift, and an essential personal choice for writers, notetakers, travellers, students, poets and diarists. Features a wide range of well-known and modern artists, with new artworks published throughout the year. BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED. The highly crafted covers are printed on foil paper, embossed then foil stamped, complemented by the luxury binding and rose red end-papers. The covers are created by our artists and designers who spend many hours transforming original artwork into gorgeous 3d masterpieces that feel good in the hand, and look wonderful on a desk or table. PRACTICAL, EASY TO USE. Flame Tree Notebooks come with practical features too: a pocket at the back for scraps and receipts; two ribbon markers to help keep track of more than just a to-do list; robust ivory text paper, printed with lines; and when you need to collect other notes or scraps of paper the magnetic side flap keeps everything neat and tidy. THE ARTIST. Tiffany was highly skilled in jewellery design, ceramics, enamels, and metalwork but he is best known for his beautiful stained-glass designs. Using opalescent glass in a variety of colours and textures, he created a stunning range of jewel-like Art Nouveau works. THE FINAL WORD. As William Morris said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

This title features 25 exciting projects to create, using glass, tiles and marble. The ancient art of mosaic-making celebrated in inspirational designs and practical projects. It offers complete step-by-step instructions for 25 original and innovative mosaic projects. It features a gallery of inspirational examples of the finest mosaics from contemporary artists. It is a comprehensive guide - from getting started to advanced designs - with everything you need to know about materials, tools, adhesives and how to use them, and all the techniques you will need. It is the definitive modern approach to a traditional craft. It is a fascinating approach to mosaics, shown in over 300 specially commissioned photographs, which clearly illustrate each stage. Mosaic-making is a classic art that uses marble, vitreous glass and smalti. As well as using traditional materials, mosaics can be made with crockery, tiles, mirrored glass and metal. It is this versatility, as well as its decorative qualities, which makes the craft so appealing. The principles of mosaic-making are easy to master, and this book gives practical advice on all the basic techniques. A comprehensive introduction details all the materials you will need to produce exquisite mosaics, from the traditional to the contemporary, including expert advice on adhesives and tools. There are 25 exciting projects to create, including stylish and functional objects as diverse as a patterned firescreen, an abstract table top, an Aztec-style trinket box, a Roman-influenced urn, and many other original decorative accessories. With innovative projects and instructional photography, this volume is both a visual source book and practical reference guide to an exciting craft.

Ceramics is one of the most vibrant and engaging fields of contemporary British art. This lavishly illustrated book reviews the work of twenty-two artists and celebrates their contribution to its rich landscape. Written from a collector's point of view, it explores what contemporary ceramic objects can mean, what emotions they evoke and how artists draw upon different facets of the art and crafts worlds in their work. A vital visual and critical resource, Contemporary British Ceramics showcases British ceramics as a compelling interdisciplinary practice, attuned to the contemporary world. Featuring more than 280 images, it encourages readers to look beneath the surface, to discover the vibrant contribution that British ceramics makes to the broad field of contemporary art.

A new coloring book featuring 30 drawings of beautiful Pueblo pottery designs for you to complete Pueblo pottery is renowned for its extraordinary beauty and craftsmanship. Pueblo is a Spanish wording meaning 'town' or 'village'. When the Spanish arrived in 1540 in what is now known as the American Southwest, they referred to the Indigenous communities and their settlements as Pueblos. The Pueblos are among the oldest settlements in North America, and their pottery-making tradition is as old as the ancient Pueblos themselves. Pottery is used throughout the life of a Pueblo person, and various forms are made for cooking, gathering water, food storage, and ceremonial use. The Coloring Book of Pueblo Pottery features more than 30 drawings for you to complete, whether by reproducing the traditional palettes or by finding inspiration in the swirling or geometric patterns and stylized motifs for a unique design of your own. Made predominantly by women, the pots are created from natural clay using a coil method; they are hand-painted and then fired outdoors. Designs vary from one Pueblo to another, but symbols and motifs relating to the natural world - birds, deer, plants, and water - are common. Today, such pottery is highly collectible and is found in museums and private collections around the world. This delightful coloring book allows you to create your very own masterpieces of this celebrated and cherished art form.

Packed with information and glaze recipes, The Glaze Book will enable you to reference hundreds of ceramic surfaces. Each glaze recipe is clearly illustrated so you can see the colour and surface responses it has to offer, and features a description including its firing range, and the uses to which it can be put. The Glaze Book provides easily accessible help on - Methods and Techniques - Raw Materials - Glazing Tools and Equipment - Mixing a Glaze - Methods of Application - Glaze Recipes for Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain

Stroll through Victorian Europe to the German state Silesia and trace the escape route used by members of the Ohme family as they fled from Russian soldiers in World War II. Visit the tomb of Hermann and his wife Anna in Dresden which had been thought to be lost forever. Discover the endless variety of the beautiful porcelain pieces and the secrets to correctly identifying your Ohme collection. This book is an in-depth look at identifying and classifying Old Ivory China and Clear Glaze Porcelains. See clear and accurate photos of newly discovered marks, blanks and patterns to satisfy your desire to identify every piece of your cherished collection. For Ohme collectors everywhere. ALMA HILLMAN is an antique dealer for over 30 years who has specialized in the porcelain of Hermann Ohme since moving to Maine in 1986. She and her husband Les, ran a successful antiques shop in Searsport, Maine for the next twenty years. Along with David Goldschmitt, she published the groundbreaking book on the elusive topic of Old Ivory China, entitled "Old Ivory China: The Mystery Explored" through Collector's Books in 1998. A charter member of the national Society for Old Ivory and Ohme Porcelain, she served as president, vice president and auction chairman. After traveling to Germany and Poland to further research Ohme porcelain she and David began the arduous task of an expanded and updated resource. DAVID GOLDSCHMITT has been a practicing Emergency Physician for the past 25 years with a specialty in Disaster Medicine and Homeland Security. He has been an avid collector of porcelain for over twenty years with a passion to solve a good mystery. Born and raised in New Jersey, his ties to Maine date back to his childhood. Old Ivory China, imported so heavily in Maine, is the representation of this second home. He is also the author of "Medical Disaster Response."

Let go of your pretensions squeeze, shape, knead & play your way to spiritual growth.

I am being formed by the clay. I am reconnecting with the earth, and with the other basic elements, too air, water, fire and life itself. Every gesture leaves its trail in the clay. Every fingerprint, a message. My breath fills the cavity. My touch curves the wall of a bowl. And inwardly, I am being formed by the outward practice. I am learning to trust the process, to lean into the possibilities rather than striving for some predetermined goal. I am being hollowed out, stretched and constricted, trimmed and sometimes reworked entirely. from the Prologue

Drawing from her first-hand experience of working with clay, Marjory Zoet Bankson takes you through the seven-step process of making clay into a pot, drawing parallels at each stage to the process of spiritual growth: Grounding Connecting with our core elements Kneading Awakening to the inner realm Centering Gathering everything togetherShaping Focusing inner and outer pressures Finishing Trimming away the excessDecorating Adding a playful touch Firing Committing to transformation

This simple connection with the earth has the potential to put you in touch with the whole of creation and, at the same time, your soul s longing to participate as an artist, creating something new and unique.

Through reflective questions in each chapter along with a wealth of unique clay projects that even beginners can do Bankson invites you on a journey of spiritual discovery, a path of reconnecting with your body and spirit, and with the earth itself."

Transform areas and items in your home into beautiful works of art! Eye-catching and a lot of fun to do, this introductory guide to mosaic art (literally) covers everything, from window sills, wall murals, and coffee tables to flower pots, picture frames, trays, and so many more decorative pieces for both the home and garden! With 16 beautiful projects to create, supply lists, step-by-step photography and captions, helpful tips, and everything you need to know about the materials, tools, and techniques to make colorful works of art, this is the go-to guide for starting a brand new hobby in mosaics!

H. Leslie Moody and Frances Johnson Moody never owned the company outright, but their dreams shaped North Carolina's Hyalyn Porcelain, Inc. and drove it forward to the satisfaction of an emerging, increasingly modern post-World War II America. Hyalyn's reputation for high quality led to its association with top designers like Michael and Rosemary Lax, Eva Zeisel, Georges Briard, Charles Leslie Fordyce, Herbert Cohen, Erwin Kalla, and Esta Brodey. Before moving to North Carolina in 1945, ceramic engineer and designer Less Moody prepared to organize and operate Hyalyn Porcelain, Inc. From Zanesville's Mosaic Tile Company, Ohio State University's ceramics department, Love Field Pottery, Abingdon Pottery, San Jose Potteries, and Rookwood Pottery, he gained expertise in clay formulation, glaze chemistry, product design, plant operation, project planning, advertising, and employee management. With the aid of investors, his dream came true when, in 1946, Hyalyn's first lamp bases and flower containers emerged from the shop's tunnel kiln. Thoroughly documented and illustrated with 425 images, hyalyn: America's Finest Porcelain is a complete history of Hyalyn Porcelain, Inc., and its successors, Hyalyn Cosco, Hyalyn, Ltd., and Vanguard Studios.

If you enjoy the adventure of alternative firing but have only an electric kiln, this is the guide for you. Learn how to use an electric kiln to attain the natural earthy colors and spontaneous patterns of alternative firing methods. Step-by-step instructions together with nearly 200 photos show how to get good results with saggar firing in an electric kiln, without damaging your kiln. Understand every aspect, from making the saggar and understanding your work's requirements to using terra sigillata, firing the kiln, and more. Along with clearly supplying the exact parameters you need to succeed, the guidance here also allows you the space to experiment and use your own creativity. This resource helps you extend your work with the colors and freedom of alternative firing.

The Pronomos Vase is the single most important piece of pictorial evidence for ancient theatre to have survived from ancient Greece. It depicts an entire theatrical chorus and cast along with the celebrated musician Pronomos, in the presence of their patron god, Dionysos. In this collection of essays, illustrated with nearly 60 drawings and photographs, leading specialists from a variety of disciplines tackle the critical questions posed by this complex hub of evidence. The discussion covers a wide range of perspectives and issues, including the artist's oeuvre; the pottery market; the relation of this piece to other artistic, and especially celebratory, artefacts; the political and cultural contexts of the world that it was produced in; the identification of figures portrayed on it: and the significance of the Pronomos Vase as theatrical evidence. The volume offers not only the most recent scholarship on the vase but also some ground-breaking interpretations of it.

Old, broken objects can become more beautiful than ever! The thought of throwing away a cherished dish or mug can be heartbreaking. If you've ever wanted to repair a treasured piece rather than tossing it in the trash--but didn't know how--the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi ("gold repair") offers the perfect solution! A Beginner's Guide to Kintsugi teaches you the traditional Japanese techniques of pottery and glass repair based on the ancient Wabi Sabi idea that imperfections are beautiful, and visible repairs are part of the "life story" of an object. Author Michihiro Hori provides simple, safe, and inexpensive methods that you can do at home using tools and materials that are readily available online. Hori guides you through the entire process--from assembling and mixing the materials to reconstructing replacements for hopelessly shattered shards. With this book, you'll learn how to: Reinforce cracks, rebuild shattered areas, and apply the time-honored staple technique Fix broken handles so they are fully functional again Safely work with lacquer and metallic powders to achieve beautiful, visible repairs Work with a variety of repair materials from gold leaf to washi paper Repair pottery and glass using traditional techniques for stunning results As you take the time to prepare your materials and work closely with the pieces, you'll find yourself becoming attuned to the mindful philosophy at the heart of Kintsugi and the Wabi Sabi principle of appreciating old and imperfect objects. Most of all, the meditative process of Kintsugi will help you look at broken objects in a new way.

A major figure in the Arte Povera movement of the late 1960s, the renowned Italian artist Giuseppe Penone is known for his exploration of the relationship between art and the natural world in a body of work that includes sculpture, performance, works on paper, and even garden design. His first works in porcelain, the exquisite disks presented here draw attention to the moment of touch—the convergence of surface and skin—that underpins so much of his work. Published to accompany The Frick Collection, New York’s temporary installation of works by Penone, this new volume comprises eleven porcelain disks that the artist made during his 2013 residency at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, the influential porcelain factory founded in the 18th century. A continuation of his Propagazioni (Propagations) series, begun in 1995, which includes various media, each disk bears the imprint of one of the artist’s fingertips. One of them is in gold, its imprint a variation on the artist’s index finger. Never before presented to the public, the installation of the disks in a gallery adjacent to the Frick’s early Italian paintings on gold grounds and the porcelain room kindles a rich artistic dialogue with both porcelain and gold.

The evolution and proliferation of plain and predominantly wheel-made pottery presents a characteristic feature of the societies of the Near East and Eastern Mediterranean since the fourth millennium B.C. This plain pottery has received little detailed archaeological attention in comparison to aesthetically more pleasing and chronologically sensitive decorated traditions. Yet, their simplicity and standardization suggest they are products of craft specialists, the result of high-volume production, and therefore important in understanding the social systems in early complex societies. This volume-reevaluates the role and significance of plain pottery traditions from both historically specific perspectives and from a comparative point of view;-examines the uses and functions of this pottery in relation to social negotiation and group identity formation;-helps scholars understand cross-regional similarities in development and use.

Zsolnay ceramic art from Hungary, featuring over 400 color photographs, covers the three main periods of Zsolnay production: 1868 to 1897--Folklorism, Historicism, Victorian Eclecticism; 1897 to 1920--Art Nouveau; and Art Deco; and 1920 to the present--Modernism. An entire chapter is devoted to Zsolnay marks to help identify the pieces. There are almost 11,000 different forms of domestic Zsolnay art works; 700 were issued in 1900 alone, and there are many undocumented forms imported in England and America. Along with the charming miniature, green-glazed, multi-figural series that Zsolnay is most identified with today, there is a wealth of earlier pieces to be found. A value range is given for each item in the book.

With the invention of eyeglasses around 1280 near Pisa, the mundane medium of glass transformed early modern optical technology and visuality. It also significantly influenced contemporaneous art, religion, and science. References to glass are found throughout the Bible and in medieval hagiography and poetry. For instance, glass is mentioned in descriptions of Heavenly Jerusalem, the Beatific Vision, and the Incarnation. At the same time, a well-known Islamic scientific treatise, which likened a portion of the eye's anatomy to glass, entered the scientific circles of the Latin West. Amidst this complex web of glass-related phenomena early modern Italian artists used glass in some of their most important artworks but, until now, no study has offered a comprehensive consideration of the important role glass played in shaping the art of the Italian Renaissance. Seeing Renaissance Glass explores how artists such as Giotto, Duccio, Nicola Pisano, Simone Martini, and others employed the medium of glass-whether it be depictions of glass or actual glass in the form of stained glass, gilded glass, and transparent glass-to resonate with the period's complex visuality and achieve their artistic goals. Such an interdisciplinary approach to the visual culture of early modern Italy is particularly well-suited to an introductory humanities course as well as classes on media studies and late medieval and early Renaissance art history. It is also ideal for a general reader interested in art history or issues of materiality.

Join the home pottery revolution! Whether you have access to a communal studio or not, hand building projects can travel just about anywhere. Take your clay outside or work at the kitchen table, with instruction from best-selling ceramics author Sunshine Cobb. In this book, you'll find all the necessary fundamentals, including a thorough discussion of clay as well as helpful tips for keeping your body and mind in top shape. Then pick the path that's right for you in the chapters that follow. Develop new skills and unlock your own creativity as you explore: Sculptural projects like miniature animals and plants. Functional items like scoops, a citrus reamer, and a coffee pour-over vessel. Mixed media projects including a candlestick holder, mobile, and a soap dish. All along the way, skill-building is front and center, with conversational instructions and tips to help you make pieces you're proud to show off. Gallery work from some of today's top artists are sure to inspire potters of all levels. What will you make first? For beginners and those returning to ceramics, the Essential Ceramics Skills series from Quarry Books offer the fundamentals along with fresh, contemporary, and simple projects that build skills progressively.