File:American homes and gardens (1910) (17967093138).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar71910newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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192 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS May, 1910
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Some of the most beautiful pottery in America is made at Marblehead evenly. Then hollow out the piece, the fingers still holding the outer walls, while the thumbs are pressed into the cen- ter of the clay firmly and strongly until they reach within a half an inch of the bottom. Experimenting teaches how the vessel can be molded and shaped at the will of the potter. They take beautiful curves and shapes of their own, accord- ing to the pressure of the fingers. Some potters make a point of never duplicating any piece of their pottery. Of course, it is necessary to have a certain shape in mind, the pressure of a bowl being different from that of a slender vase. The different arrangement of the hands, to acquire the varied shapes, are found out from experience, but the chief thing to remember is holding the vessel firmly and strongly at the bottom as the wheel turns. When the top is reached, if the shape is not true, start from the bottom and press hardest where the pressure is needed, and lightly where the shape does not require altering. It is important to keep the thickness of the walls even, about one-quarter of an inch thick. When the vessel is finished, cut the edge with a sharp tool, having first wet It with slip. Place the fore-finger of the left hand inside and cut towards the finger during one revolution of the wheel, and remove the piece cut when the wheel is not in motion. The edges may be softened by the fore-finger and middle finger of the right hand. Wet the edges with slip and hold them straight and firm, and while the wheel revolves, the left hand should grasp the wrist of the right to steady it. Now leave the vessel to stiffen for about a half an hour, then use the hoe- shape tool for removing the piece from the wheel. It must, of course, be first moistened with slip; then run the tool under the bottom and move from the center. When the wheel has stopped it can be removed. In about an hour it will have stiffened slightly and may then be finished off with a smooth-edge oval tool. It is then ready for deco- rating and may be finished with either of the processes already described.

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