Ceramics Vocab D and E (Tools and Decoration)

Needle

Also known as a Pin Tool. A fine awl for cutting, piercing or scoring clay.

Rib

A wooden (b) or metal (c) tool for smoothing, or for assisting in throwing a pot on the wheel.

There are also plastic/silicone ribs. The name was given to this tool because older potters

used a bone for this purpose.

Sponge Stick

A natural or polyester sponge fastened to the end of a dowel or stick, and used for absorbing surplus water from pots during throwing.

Spatula Tool

A tool with a flattened, curved and rounded end. This tool is used for designing and trimming excess fat off of a spinning form on the potter's wheel. A dull pencil is a good

Trimming Tool

The only essential feature of a trimming tool is a short firm cutting edge that can be held at a right-angle to the rotating pot. These tools are also called “T-tools”- depending on the size one would use a small T-Tool (f) or large T-tool (g) to describe the tool needed for the job.

Wire Cutter

Two wooden handles connected with wire. Used to separate thrown pieces from the bat AND to cut the clay into smaller pieces.

Foot

It is the part of the ceramic pottery piece on which the main shape stands.  

Dry Foot

The bottom of a pot that has been cleaned of all glaze before firing

Matte

The non-glossy surface quality of a completely fired glaze.

Stamping

An embossed or intaglio impression can be used to build up a pattern on clay.

Sprig

A bas-relief or medallion made in a small press mold and stuck with slip onto a pottery surface.  

Boss

An age all decorative feature: a spherical hump traditionally formed by pressing from the inside of a pot, but today more frequently applied to the outside. Embossing is the act of applying the boss technique.