Pottery is one of the oldest and popular art forms, having continuously developed over the years creating unusual and modern masterpieces. It is believed that the art form has been practised for over many centuries, dating back between 29,000 - 25,000 BCE in what is now known as the Czech Republic. These were not the normal pottery that we see today, but were traditionally used for depicting religious figures and statuettes.
The first known vessels were believed to have been developed in Ancient Japan of the Jomon people. The vessels date back to 10,000 BCE, where the word Jomon refers to the vessels being cord marked and how these were a common marking for most of the vessels using sticks to wrap the cord around the vessels. Furthermore vessels were excavated in China, with more found in North Africa and South America during the seventh millennium.
Pottery was revolutionised when the potter’s wheel was invented between 6,000 and 4,000 BCE during the Mesopotamia period. Potters were then able to produce more potted goods the world’s first cities and big towns where the demand for pottery had increased. Before this, the potted process was completed slowly by hand. When better fire kilns were built these dried at a much better quality than they did when they were air dried.
Different materials resulted in a different dried look. Coarser particles used in the pots and figures acted as a protector to prevent from shrinkage. Most of the time the material and category of each pot can be determined by how it is fired. Earthenware for example is fired using temperatures from 1000 to 1200 degree Celsius, whereas porcelain is fired at around 1200 to 1400 degrees Celsius. The materials used also play a very important part in the end product helping it to take form in the way it is meant to and appear the way it is meant to. Some developments were made in terms of designing the finished product and glazing it.
For archaeologists and historians excavating pottery is essential for discovering facts about that period, for example, most of the vessels and figures depicted a significant point in time. They can also depict cultural stories and provide insights into how people lived in that era. Many of the artistic designs on the pots told stories of historical events, provided insight into cultural attitudes, social relationships, religion and recorded evidence of the language used at the time.
Simple glazed pots and ceramic ware was not just a tool for eating out of and keeping as mantelpiece objects. Most of the potted goods we see in the shelves of Debenhams or Habitats, as they have played an important part in discovering social and cultural history. They have helped define previous events and helped us to understand how these events have come to shape our modern culture today.
This has also become a hobby which adults take part in. Some have even come to place their work on display in art galleries, with some even winning the Turner Prize for their work. Of course pottery is open to everybody. This is not just an art that adults take up because of the demand for quality ceramic pots. Young children have benefitted in taking part in classes that concentrate on their moulding skills, honing their creativity skills and raising their confidence in becoming more practical.
Anna Stenning loves to take part in pottery, because it gives her time to relax and appreciate ceramic arts, and their historical relevance to the world. For more on finding the perfect earthenware visit http://www.denby.co.uk/
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