From pottery casseroles to accessories, grandparents’ crafts lend charm to grandchildren’s homes

The earliest historical records of wheel-thrown pottery date back to 4000 BC in Egypt and 3000 BC in China. Pottery is the molding of clay, and other materials, into vessels, such as: Jugs, bowls, plates, casseroles, and other forms, such as: Vases and figurines. The vessels are heated at a high temperature until the clay hardens.

Early pottery was thick-walled, uneven, and usually unglazed. It likely began with people making storage jars for food and water. By the mid-10th century BCE, pottery had developed to the point where there are historical records of a family of potters, living in a palace, doing work for a king. In fact, most of the earliest pottery artifacts were preserved in the tombs of kings.

Nowadays, with the growing interest in crafts and attempts to keep them from dying out, some homeowners are decorating their spaces with pottery, or using pottery dinnerware. From casseroles to accessories, grandparents’ crafts are decorating grandchildren’s homes.

Pottery between the Middle East and Eastern cultures

A set of pottery pots

Although much of the pottery was made in the Middle East, Eastern cultures have directly contributed to the improvement of the craft of pottery; for example: The earliest glaze used by the Chinese was celadon, which was made from the same clay used in pottery, mixed with wood ash.

In the East, different regions had unique types of celadon, due entirely to differences in the composition of local clays. Clays containing trace amounts of lime produce celadon that turns blue in color – classical Chinese celadon. Classical Korean celadon is pale green, and classical Japanese celadon is olive green. In the composition of the clay, there is a small amount of iron, and wood ash added lime and silica to the glaze. When combined with the right atmosphere in the kiln, the enamel turns into the translucent, pearl-like blue or green color made famous by oriental potters.

In addition to celadon, oriental potters developed red enamel, which, like celadon, relies on a reducing atmosphere in the kiln to turn it into the right color, although reduction can only be done in fuel-fired kilns (kilns heated by combustible fuels).

Red enamel turns red, under properly balanced reducing conditions. Too little or too much reduction causes the red enamel to turn white or, in some cases, a pale green color.

The effects of the Industrial Revolution on craft

Pottery pots for home decoration (photo from unsplah)

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in France, England, Germany, and other parts of Europe, pottery underwent a transition from village craftsmanship to mass production. Aside from the benefits that may have been gained from the introduction of these industrial and subsequent technological techniques, many things of great value were lost, including vast treasures of practical knowledge that ancient people possessed from their craft.

Pottery was baked using a process called “single firing”. After the pottery was made, glazed, and raw, it was fired very slowly over two days in a wooden kiln. Because this process requires a certain amount of skill and care, single firing, while ideal for the village potter, is not suitable for producing large quantities of identical pottery. Therefore, biscuit firing was developed to allow for the mass production of pottery in factories. Biscuit firing is a preliminary firing process in which the pottery undergoes a chemical change, transforming the raw clay into a ceramic material.

After firing to about one-third of its maturity point, the pottery remains very porous and easily absorbs the paint applied to it. After biscuit firing, the pottery is glazed and then fired again, melting the glaze and stabilizing the clay. Biscuit firing allows pottery to be produced more uniformly than individual firing. It also allows the pottery-making process to be broken down into separate steps, performed by different people, each with limited knowledge of the process as a whole.

With the rise of industrialization, pottery as a traditional craft began to rapidly disappear, especially in industrialized countries. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the few pottery artisans who remained in the village were living in China, Japan, and various third-world countries.

4 ways to incorporate pottery into modern home decor

Pottery plant pots adorn the mantelpiece

Incorporating pottery into home decor is a great way to add interest and elegance to interior spaces, and is coveted by the new generation. Whether it’s on shelves, used to hold food on the table, hung on the wall, or even acting as unique vases, these unique pieces will add an endearing touch to any space.

Here are ways to add pottery to your home decor, create curb appeal, and show interest in the work of artisans.

Displaying crockery on shelves

By filling your shelves with pottery, it will attract the attention of your guests and turn your shelves into a stunning focal point. You can mix and match different sizes and shapes of pottery accessories, i.e. arrange larger items, such as bowls and jugs, at the back, and smaller items, such as jugs, at the front: Bowls and jugs, at the back, and smaller items, such as mugs and plates, at the front: mugs and plates, in the foreground.

Use in food

Pottery dinnerware

Serving food in clay casseroles transforms a meal from ordinary to a special occasion. The vibrant colors of the plates, bowls, and cups enhance the visual appeal of your table and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. When you have guests, these unique pieces become conversation starters, making your dining experience even more special.

Wall decor

Pottery dishes can be hung on the wall in a kitchen, dining room or hallway, creating a visually appealing display that is different from typical wall art and reflects the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, each piece tells a story.

Plant pots

The dining table in the kitchen features a pair of decorative pottery bowls

If you’re looking for a fun way to bring nature and art into your home, using pottery as plant containers is a great option.