Slab-Built Pots

1. Slab-Built Pots http://pottery.about.com/od/handbuildingtechniques/tp/basicover.htm

2. Slab-Building, Ancient to Modern • Slab-building techniques were used extensively by Mesoamerican Pre-Columbian potters, with some beautiful results. • Other than these potters, though, slab pots were only very minor players in the hand-building playing field of other ancient cultures across the globe. • Today, slab pots and slab-building techniques are experiencing a new popularity. • Modern potters and ceramic sculptors have embraced the slab, creating works using both soft slabs and stiff leather-hard slabs.

3. Slab Built Pots Notice the noticed lid to fit properly on the box

4. Slab Box Assignment Made Simple • http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=clay+slab+box&view=detail&mid=8371774BB5571DAC91578371774BB5571DAC9157&first=0 • You will use a ruler to precisely measure your sides • All corners must be square, use score and slip as well as “snake” at seams • Designs can be imprinted before the drying process • Cut out is done before the construction when the clay is leather-hard • Do not use a hairdryer….we will wrap in plastic and wet towel to get to leather-hard state

5. Stiff-Slab Construction • The stiff-slab method is more appropriate for architectural and geometric forms. The slab is rolled then allowed to slowly dry to leather-hard stage before being cut and joined with other stiffened slabs to create the form. • Cutting away should occur before construction. • Adding feet to a stiff-slab pot is best done after the construction. Use score and slip method. • Lids can be made from a complete (six sided) box by using the potter’s needle or using wire. • Wax resist the bottom of the box before final firing

6. Leather-Hard Working

7. Slab-Built Box Quiz Name________________________ • Where was slab building used largely in ancient times? A. Egypt B. India C. Mesoamerica D. Target Stores • Can the slabs be hand rolled instead of using the slab roller? A. yes B. no C. only on rainy days D. never • When can you carve or cut the sides to your box? A. before slabbing B. once the pot is put together C. when the slab is leather-hard and before construction D. after the bisque fire • What is score and slip? A. a new type of pizza B. making grooves on wet/leather hard clay and using the slip as a glue C. a baseball term D. none of the above • What tool must be used to make the sides equal length? A. ruler B. potter’s tool C. book D. stapler • A glaze is: A. applied after the bisque fire B. a chemical C. adds color or protection to a pot D. all of the above • How is wax resist used: A. for crayon drawings B. never as a decorative property C. to remove unwanted hair D. keep glaze from the bottom of a pot • What is leather hard? A. a Marine term B. point where clay is hard but not dry C. used to make saddles D. last stage in pottery making • Cone 06 is the firing level for: A. glazes only B. first fire C. last fire D. never used • If you run out of time in class and your pot is not done: A. ask for a pass for PE B. cover the pot with plastic and damp paper C. Throw the pot away D. give up

8. Slab-Built Box Student Evaluation Name______________________________________ Dated ________________ • DESIGN 10 9 8 7 6 5 Other • CONSTRUCTION 10 9 8 7 6 5 Other • CRAFTSMANSHIP 10 9 8 7 6 5 Other • PATTERNS/TEXTURES 10 9 8 7 6 5 Other • GLAZING 10 9 8 7 6 5 Other • One aspect about this project that I learned ___________________________________________ • Did you wax resist the bottom of the pots to keep glaze from the shelf? YES NO • Was this a project you would consider revising for your final? YES NO