What’s The Difference Between Pottery And Ceramics?
To many people, the terms ‘ceramics’ and ‘pottery’ seem to be interchangeable but they don’t actually mean the same thing. Ceramics and pottery are both related to creating objects from clay but the processes and techniques used in each are quite distinct from each other. In this article, you’ll discover what the difference is between pottery and ceramics and how to identify them.
To Ceramics And Pottery
Ceramics can be defined as any inorganic material which consists of clay and is hardened by baking at very high temperatures. Examples of ceramics can be seen everywhere – from coffee cups to electrical insulation. One of the oldest forms of ceramics dates to 18000 BCE, which indicates the long history of this gluey material.
Pottery, on the other hand, is a form of creation using clay to make objects such as vases and pots. This type of art has been practiced by humans for millennia and pottery pieces have been unearthed anywhere from ancient Egypt to the American Southwest. Despite being so similar, pottery and ceramics differ in key ways.
The Differences Between Pottery And Ceramics
Texture
The first difference between pottery and ceramics is the texture. The clay used for pottery has not been heated and so remains a lot softer than ceramic pieces. Depending on the desired effect, pottery artists may choose to leave the clay unglazed, allowing for a lot more texture in the finished piece. Ceramics, on the other hand, are much smoother as the clay has been heated and glazed with a smooth, glossy finish.
Strength
Ceramics are much stronger than pottery pieces due to undergoing high temperatures during the manufacturing process. The heating transforms a soft clay object into a much denser and tougher object. Therefore, ceramic items are resistant to impacts and usually longer lasting. Pottery pieces, on the other hand, remain quite delicate and breakable and require extra care.
Painting
The painting of pottery pieces and ceramics is also markedly different. Pottery is usually hand painted with a glaze before putting it in the oven where it stays until the paint melts and adheres to the clay. This means that every single piece of pottery is entirely unique. Ceramics, on the other hand, are mass-produced, and so each piece has the same design. The art of painting ceramics is done by printing the design onto the ceramic surface instead of hand painting it.
Sculpting
Pottery and ceramics are also sculpted in different ways. For pottery, artists use a variety of tools such as potter’s wheels, extruders and punches, depending on how much detail is required in the piece. Ceramics, on the other hand, are typically more basic in terms of design and do not require as many tools to create.
Glazing
When it comes to glazing, principle difference between pottery and ceramics is the temperature of glazing. Pottery pieces are usually glazed at lower temperatures than what is used to make ceramics which means the glaze used is usually thicker and creates a matte finish. Ceramic pieces usually require much higher temperatures and glazes are usually thinner which creates a glossy finish.
Overall, pottery and ceramics have distinct differences between them and each product has a very particular look, feel and purpose. Pottery is usually hand-crafted and glazed at lower temperatures and is more organic and delicate looking than its ceramic counterparts. Ceramics, on the other hand, are more industrial, mass-produced and require higher temperatures for glazing. Knowing the differences between pottery and ceramics is essential for anyone who is interested in collecting the respective products, allowing them to identify and purchase the type of material they need.