Ceramics, or vessels made from the earth

Derived from the Greek term keramos, meaning earth, ceramics are artistic and utilitarian clay products fired at high temperatures. Ceramics have been known to mankind since the Palaeolithic era, with the oldest objects found dating back more than 13,000 years. In Poland, ceramics has been known for about 7,500 years. 

A few words about ceramics

Depending on its body, ceramics can be divided into pottery, faience and porcelain. Ceramics can be made by several methods: They can be made by hand, turned on a potter's wheel or a rolling pin using a template, cast in moulds, pressed or extruded in the mass. The moulded vessels are baked at temperatures ranging from 900 °C to as much as 2000 °C, depending on the thickness of the vessel, the exact composition of the mass from which it was made and the kiln. The kiln for the entire clay firing process is particularly important – its parameters are crucial to the firing's success. The ceramic kiln is composed of a hearth, grates, a vaulted firebox, a sight glass and a chimney. 

Decoration and marking

Ceramic wares are usually decorated with glaze paints. The artist decorating the vessel applies with a brush. Glaze paint decoration can be underglazed, glazed and glazed. Glazed decoration is applied to an unglazed vessel, glazed decoration is applied to a glazed vessel, but the glaze has not yet been fired but is dried, and glazed decoration is applied to a fired glaze. Depending on the maker, the vessels are often marked on the underside. The mark is often contained in letters or symbols that refer to the name of the city of production, the artist, or the factory.