A to Z of Crafts - P = Pottery

Pottery is the material from which potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Pottery is made by forming the clay body into objects of a required shape and heating them to high temperatures in a kiln to induce reactions that lead to permanent changes including increasing their strength, and hardening and setting their shape.

The earliest pottery vessels found include those excavated from the Yuchanyan cave in Southern China, dated from 16,000 BCE, and those found in the Amur River basin in the Russian Far East, dated from 14,000 BCE. The invention of the Potter's Wheel in Mesopotamia sometime between 6,000 and 4,000 BCE revolutionised pottery production. Specialised potters were then able to meet the expanding needs of the world's first cities.

Here are some great examples of hand crafted pottery from members of the BrisStyle and Cast teams:

Teapot Forest Green Paisley Design by Spun Mud

Porcelain Bowl - Fireworks Series by PM Ceramics

Samuri Bird Feeder by Clay Soul

Serving Bowl by Biscotti Pottery