Glossary of Terms
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Peep Plug
Peep Plug
Ceramic plugs used in the witness holes of the kiln.
Porosity
Porosity
The ability of clay to absorb moisture or water.
Pulling the Walls
Pulling the Walls
When Wheel Throwing, bringing the sides of the pot up with your hands.
Pyrometric Cones
Pyrometric Cones
Ceramic materials formulated to measure heat work in the kiln.
Red Iron Oxide
Red Iron Oxide
Coloring Oxide used for a variety of colors. By itself it gives a strong dark red-brown.
Refractory
Refractory
Ceramic materials which have very high melting points and are resistant to heat, even after being fired many times. Kiln bricks and furniture are refractory materials.
Rib
Rib
Wide tool used for smoothing, texturing, or shaping clay.
Ribbing the outside
Ribbing the outside
When throwing on a wheel, using a rib tool on the outside of a pot to refine the shape.
Rutile
Rutile
Rutile is an oxide used for coloring glazes and for washes. As a wash it gives warm yellows. Rutile is made up of both iron and titanium.
Scoring
Scoring
Roughing up the surface of the wet clay to prepare it for joining.
Sgraffito
Sgraffito
Decorating technique where a layer of colored slip or underglaze is carved through to expose the clay underneath.
Shivering
Shivering
A glaze defect which occurs when the glaze shrinks more than the ware. It can be identified by the glaze flaking off the ware in slivers and leaving sharp edges. Shivering cannot be reversed.