{"id":14938,"date":"2024-11-26T17:14:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T16:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitmontelupo.it\/how-its-done\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:32:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T11:32:30","slug":"how-its-done","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visitmontelupo.it\/en\/how-its-done\/","title":{"rendered":"How ceramics are made"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-121623&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;142455&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;895385&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h1&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;112205&#8243;]How ceramics are made[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;190747&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;227612&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;128705&#8243;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14690&#8243; media_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;175833&#8243; media_width_pixel=&#8221;80&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;176453&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;249536&#8243;]The process[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;195254&#8243;]Over the course of history, men have developed many different techniques to shape clay into the desired form.<br \/>\n<strong>Coil construction<\/strong>. This technique consists in preparing sticks or strips of clay that are placed fresh, one on top of the other, to form a container. The strips are then well blended together with fingers, and the exterior is carefully smoothed.<br \/>\n<strong>Mold construction<\/strong>. Such technique requires preparing a two-part mold with an inverse and opposite shape to the one of the final product. Fresh clay is pressed onto the mold to fill all the empty spaces. The two parts can then be easily separated after the clay has dried, due to the significant volume reduction of the clay, caused by the evaporation of the water in the material.<br \/>\n<strong>Wheel throwing<\/strong>. Around the end of the 4th millennium BC, humans invented the potter&#8217;s wheel, which saves a lot of time in the manifacture of clay pots. The wheel not only offers significant precision, but it also allows for the mass production of objects of the same size on a circular base.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;163994&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14945&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;200105&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14945&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;415721&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;829228&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;907238&#8243;]The ancient wheel[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;129583&#8243;]Before the discovery of electricity, ancient kilns used human power to move the wheels.<br \/>\nAround the Middle Ages, the potter&#8217;s wheel took on the appearance it kept until a few years ago; this type of wheel is still widely used in countries where modern technology is less prevalent.<br \/>\nThe ancient wheel is a very simple machine, consisting of two wheels of different sizes, one much larger and heavier than the other, connected by a shaft.<br \/>\nThe larger wheel is placed at the bottom, so that, by pushing it with the foot, the smaller wheel also rotates in an identical way.<br \/>\nThe inertia of the lower wheel&#8217;s movement, caused by its greater weight, allows the potter to work the clay without needing to continuously push the machine and avoiding the risk that the rotation might abruptly stop.<br \/>\nSuch simple mechanism was integrated into a bench, where the operator, called a turner, could sit.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; inverted_device_order=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;132434&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;455782&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;124398&#8243;]The coatings[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;178851&#8243;]The coatings used in medieval and post-medieval (Renaissance, modern) European ceramics were essentially of three types:<br \/>\n1) Ceramics with a transparent or semi-transparent coating, also known as glazed ceramics, achieved with simple lead oxide or with added colorants.<br \/>\n4) Ceramics with an opaque earth-based coating, known as engobed ceramics, protected by a layer of glossy glaze.<br \/>\n5) Ceramics with a coating, known as majolica, based on silica, tin oxide, and lead, with a glossy white background.<\/p>\n<p>Once the clay or pottery works have been shaped, they must be fired after being gradually dried.<br \/>\nUnless the quality is good enough to allow reaching very high temperatures, clay firing results in a porous product (the biscuit), which absorbs liquids but can be made waterproof by applying one of these types of coatings.<br \/>\nThe substances used to achieve said coating (glaze, enamel) are usually absorbed by the ceramic through immersion.<br \/>\nIn the case of engobes, it involves using particularly purified types of clay that are found in nature, while it is essential to manufacture a compound called marzacotto in order to achieve any silica and metal oxide-based coating.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14946&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;189376&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14946&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;374287&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;124783&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14830&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;192424&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14830&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;131255&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;195398&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;870233&#8243;]Color preparation[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;173044&#8243;]In order to color ceramics that were already covered with a metallic coating, colors also made of metal oxides were used.<br \/>\nThe process remains essentially the same to this day.<br \/>\nColors can be divided into two categories: simple formulas, formed by the oxide of a single metal, and compounds, produced by mixing different metals and other substances.<br \/>\nOftentimes the ceramic painter can&#8217;t see the final hue that the color will take on before the second firing.<br \/>\nColors, in fact, achieve their brilliance only after being fused again in the kiln.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; inverted_device_order=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;148212&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;164548&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;525192&#8243;]The reverberatory furnace[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;122604&#8243;]In order to complete all the operational phases required to prepare silica-metallic coatings (glazes and enamels) and colors, metals were calcined (artificial oxidation) using a special oven, called a furnace or small kiln.<br \/>\nIt was a two-chamber oven, separated by a dividing wall that did not reach the vault.<br \/>\nIn the smaller side of the kiln, a fire was lit through a small opening.<br \/>\nThe other chamber of the oven would vent the flames all the way through the chimney, without contaminating it with combustion residues.<br \/>\nFor this peculiarity, it was also called a reverberatory furnace (i.e., with indirect flame).<br \/>\nDuring the phase of metal fusion in the kiln, an operator, maneuvering a heavy hoe-shaped tool (zappone), fixed with a chain at its center of gravity, agitated the surface of the molten metal, facilitating the combinations (agreement) between different metals and their oxidations.<br \/>\nIn the reverberatory furnace, all the metal oxides necessary for ceramic processing were manufactured, and marzocco was added to them; these compounds were then finely ground using hydraulic mills, moved wither manually (grinders) or by animals.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14947&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;919946&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14947&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;126269&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;396698&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14948&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;106475&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14948&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;144085&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;196414&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;698925&#8243;]Glazing-Enameling-Decoration[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;485765&#8243;]In the past, whenever potters wanted to fix a metal oxide-based coating film on a piece of ceramic that was only fired once, they would usually immerse the biscuit in a tub filled with liquid glaze or enamel, a finely ground compound that was diluted with water. This technique is still used today.<br \/>\nThe immersion (dipping) is carried out by workers called dippers, who must make sure not to touch the ceramic piece with their hands before immersing it, as the natural oils of the skin would prevent the metallic substances from adhering well to the biscuit.<br \/>\nDue to its porosity, the biscuit quickly absorbs the liquid part of the compound, leaving the metallic parts on the surface.<br \/>\nMajolica pieces require a specific treatment: after they&#8217;ve been dipped in enamel and left to dry, their ceramic surface can be decorated by painting it or scratching the colored parts.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; align_horizontal=&#8221;align_center&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;200961&#8243;][vc_custom_heading uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;102411&#8243; subheading=&#8221;The techniques of the final stages of ceramic processing&#8221;]FIRING AND DECORATION[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; inverted_device_order=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;305770&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;966127&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;848282&#8243;]The kiln[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;153617&#8243;]The simpler ceramic kiln consisted of a lower part (also called an ash pit), intended to house the fuel, and an upper firing chamber, through which the fire, emerging from the ash pit, had to pass, filtered by numerous holes that were opened in the floor.<br \/>\nThe more advanced kiln features the addition of a third chamber, also called a small kiln, placed above the main firing chamber.<br \/>\nSince it was near the chimney that was dedicated to flame exhaustion, combustion residues (smoke and soot) accumulated there: therefore, this was the firing chamber intended to produce the biscuit, which could not be damaged by such residues, as it lacked melting coatings.<br \/>\nAnother type of kiln was the muffle kiln, in which the flames passed through an external gap without touching the objects meant to be fired.<br \/>\nThe muffle kiln could also become a reducing atmosphere kiln when oxygen was removed from the firing chamber.<br \/>\nThis operation was usually carried out by introducing substances that, when heated, produced abundant smoke.<br \/>\nAfter being fired for a third time (third firing) at a moderate temperature (about 650\u00b0C), the colors used in decoration would become iridescent and take on metallic reflections.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14949&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;567589&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14949&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;147939&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;328775&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14950&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;651208&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14950&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;209270&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;213011&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;100967&#8243;]Stacking[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;585135&#8243;]The firing phase was a particularly delicate process that required the contribution of extremely experienced people called kiln workers. To make the most of the available fuel, they would try to fill the kiln with as many objects as possible, arranging them one on top of the other in orderly stacks (stacking).<br \/>\nKiln workers would usually distance products that were glazed or vitrified with silica-metallic coatings from one another, using special supports that often took the form of a tripod. This technique was meant to prevent the fusion of the coating from welding them together during firing, and it is still used today.<br \/>\nIn traditional kilns (not the muffle ones), objects were placed in special containers, called boxes or cases, before firing, in order to prevent flames and other combustion residues (smoke, soot, dust) from damaging the glaze film. Inside these boxes, the items were distanced from one another with triangular supports, which were inserted into the walls and protruded towards the inside of the cases themselves.<br \/>\nOnce full, the kiln was sealed by closing the access door (usciale) to the firing chamber with a temporary wall: the fire was thus forced to exhaust towards the outside, by passing through it completely.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; inverted_device_order=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;120889&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;365976&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;199252&#8243;]Firing[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;205881&#8243;]The first phase of the kiln lighting involved the use of small-sized wood (stipa) that burned easily and evenly, quickly bringing the firing chamber to the desired temperature.<br \/>\nIn order to preserve the color of the ceramics, they would often keep feeding the fire with large wood.<br \/>\nCeramic firing lasted at least 11-12 hours, during which the kiln worker made sure to keep the optimal temperature (about 900\u00b0C for majolica pots firing), by adding or removing wood with special forks.<br \/>\nSince there used to be no specific tools to control the temperature at the time, the kiln worker needed to rely on their experience, determining the approximate degree of temperature from the color of the inside of the kiln, which would go from red to white depending on the heat.<br \/>\nAt regular intervals, the kiln worker would use a special iron tool (lookout) to extract a small pot (test, procella), placed in the kiln in a position that was easily accessible from the outside, in order to verify the progressive degree of firing of the objects.<br \/>\nWhen the pieces were ready, the kiln was turned off, so that it could gradually cool over the course of at least a day.<br \/>\nAfter that, the temporary closure of the opening of the furnace (the &#8220;usciale&#8221;) was demolished, and the finished product was extracted.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14951&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;119769&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14951&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;164448&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;328775&#8243; row_height_pixel=&#8221;500&#8243;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;14952&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;152634&#8243; column_width_pixel=&#8221;1200&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;14952&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; desktop_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; medium_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;449579&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-489713&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;213011&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;159591&#8243;]Decoration[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;628620&#8243;]We can identify three fundamental methods of ceramic decoration that were used in the past: painting, scratching (or &#8220;graffito&#8221;), and the addition of clay substances in relief.<br \/>\nWhile painting involves applying one or more colors with a brush over the surface, the &#8220;graffito&#8221; method requires removing the coating (engobe or enamel) when it is still fresh, using a pointed tool or a prong (stick).<br \/>\nThe superficial layer with engobes is removed to reveal the reddish color of the underlying biscuit: with this system (called &#8220;graffito a punta&#8221;), only the outlines of the figures are drawn, which can then be perfected by painting them.<br \/>\nIt is called &#8220;graffito a fondo ribassato&#8221; (with a lowered background) when the outlines are engraved by removing more extensive parts of the engobes with a wide-pointed tool or prong.<br \/>\nThe method of adding material in relief, usually the same clay as the biscuit, was widely used in Northern Europe (Northern Germany and England) in ceramics known as slipware.<br \/>\nFor painted decoration, specifics artifices have also been adopted to make the color emerge on the surface of the decorated object.<br \/>\nIn Spain, the lines that separated the decorations used to be outlined with a small cord, which was soaked in fatty substances that would would prevent the colored glazes from adhering during firing. Burning the cord would leave those areas, where the color was not meant to be, uncovered, due to said fatty substances. This process, called &#8220;cuerda seca&#8221;, would preserve the clearly-definied margins of the decorations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-121623&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;142455&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column column_width_use_pixel=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14938","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How ceramics are made - VisitMontelupo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/visitmontelupo.it\/en\/how-its-done\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How ceramics are made - VisitMontelupo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; 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