Ancient Pottery Replica – I Love My Schnapps

My latest project in my home studio. This piece was a replica of an ancient South American human effigy pottery. The original piece would’ve been intended to be used as a water vessel. My replica is a decorative. However, I can seal it with a sealer and use it to hold water or as a very interesting vase.

Please see my other ancient pottery replica – Ah-Bug

Below are the specifics of the artwork.

• Water-based fine grogged white raku clay.
• handbuilt with the coiling and pinching methods.
• painted with black and terracotta clay slips with some stains added.
• Slips were applied when the piece was leather dry.
• The golden colour will transform to terracotta red after firing in the kiln.
• The piece will be fired at 1,200 degrees celsius in the kiln.

In ancient times, pottery was made with the coiling method. The coiling method is a method where pieces of clay is rolled into long coils. The potter then bonds the coils layer upon layer to build the body of the vessel.

Today, most potters, especially larger studios that sell pottery in bulk, use wheels to make pottery. I prefer building my pottery pieces by hand using coils. It gives me more freedom for creativity.

I also use coils to make my sculptures because using coils are more efficient than using chunks of clay to sculpt. It saves time by not having to slice the sculpture and hollow it out after building it. The process of hollowing out a beautifully made sculpture is quite risky.

I will publish a post dedicated to sharing my method, knowledge and processes for making pottery and sculptures at a later date. So, keep checking in to read my posts. Alternatively, you can subscribe at the bottom of the Home page and be notified of a new post.

I love watching Andy Ward’s ancient pottery YouTube videos and have learned a lot from them. If you’re interested, click here to watch Andy demonstrate how to make coils and build pottery with them.