Potters who burnish are often asked what glaze is that? by curious admirers of their work. Non-potters naturally assume that all pottery is glazed, and the glossy surface of a burnished pot seems like a different and intriguing sort of glaze. Though glazed pottery can be brighter and more colorful, a burnished pot has a glow from within and a warmth that glazed pottery doesn't have. The difference that non-potters sense without knowing it and which fascinates potters is that the surface of a burnished pot doesn't wear a coat hiding the clay itself from view. Glaze is glossy and reflective, but the reflecting surface consists of a millimeter or so of glass covering the clay. Underneath this layer of glaze the rough stony clay is always perceptible, even if not always visible.
A burnished pot can have a surface just as glossy and reflective as any glaze, but behind this glorious surface there is no hidden roughness. Even the feel of a burnished pot is seductive. While a glazed pot feels hard and cold, a burnished pot seems warm and almost soft to touch. Potters who burnish get used to seeing people handle the pots, turning them in their hands and stroking the surface. This is a common and unconscious response to the sensuousness of burnished pottery.
Burnished Pottery in History
The archaeological remains of many civilizations bear a resemblance - ancient pottery from China or the Mediterranean region almost seems more closely related in form and decoration to native African or Native American pottery, than to modern pottery from those regions. Now that modern pottery has come full circle to rediscover the beauty of burnished pottery, the history of unglazed pottery around the world is of interest to the modern ceramic artist. You'll find the history of low-fired work from China, the Mediterranean, Africa and North and South America both informative and inspirational.
About burnishing
There are two methods of burnishing a pot: rubbing the clay with a polished stone or other smooth object, and coating the pot with terra sigillata and rubbing it with a soft material such as a chamois leather. While using a stone is more time consuming and takes a lot of practice, it can produce a high degree of sheen. Discover how this technique is done by the traditional style of the potters of the American Southwest and also at burnishing stoneware/high-fire clay, burnishing a high-talc earthenware clay, burnishing leather-hard or black-hard clay, burnishing on the wheel, burnishing tools, types of clay to use.
Burnishing with Terra Sigillata
Terra sigillata means sealed earth and comes from the name of a type of Roman pottery mass-produced around the first century AD. But the Romans copied the Greek technique used in their famous black and red pottery for hundreds of years before that. Here is a complete guide to making and applying terra sigillata, recipes, and troubleshooting.
Also included are smoke-firing and black-firing, pit, saggar and raku firing techniques and finishing touches.
Reviews (26)
It's exactly what it says it is...
It's nice to buy a book that covers what it says it covers. All too often I've gotten excited about some area a book says it will cover, only to find my topic of interest was mentioned only in passing. In this book, Sumi covers low firing in a variety of methods as well as typical and more contemporary decoration elements associated with low firing. The book explains the modern pit firing methods using a variety of chemicals as well as the use of barrel firing, raku and incorporating sagger firing using these methods or in your standard kiln. Beyond this, Sumi demonstrates both knowledge and respect for the traditional methods of pit firing methods. If one is interested in this, it comes as no surprise that most books on the subject are not "how to" pottery books but rather books by collectors of traditional pottery. In this book Sumi covers the methods of the Pueblo and Mata Ortiz potters with a level of detail, with the context of other pit firing, that one can attempt these methods without feeling that you have to guess about some of the details or that you have to visit the Reservations to talk with potters. Though, if you have the chance, go to the Reservations and talk to the potters!
Answered all my questions!!!!
She is as thorough in her book as in her videos! Besides terra sig recipes, you will find step by step descriptions of completed pottery examples down to the firing temps. Clay bodies are discussed in use with the different firing techniques- which is where I also needed a little guidance. This book helped me get on the right track. Highly recommended!!
Very thorough
I'm planning to try, for the first time in my life, making pottery using the low fire technique. I really don't like the idea of a Kiln, and want to make large objects. This is perfect because it shows everything you need to be successful
Nice explanations, good examples
Well written. Nice explanations, good examples.
This is a wonderful book, very clearly written about the various firing ...
This is a wonderful book , very clearly written about the various firing processes for one of a kind pottery. It has been extremely helpful to me in understanding some specific techniques pertaining to terra sigillata. The book was in excellent condition and arrived very quickly.
Very Informative Book
I really liked this book and will use information given to create burnished ceramics.
Five Stars
excellent
Good Read
good read
Five Stars
Sumi never disappoints!
Awesome book! Gotta have love for art! Gotta love the 500 Series!
Will gladly buy more books from this seller! Fast shipping and well packaged! I'm a happy with my 500 series! Got more 9 so far! It's time to start reading to gain more knowledge! I'm a happy camper! Beach, books, and coffee! Ciao!
It's exactly what it says it is...
It's nice to buy a book that covers what it says it covers. All too often I've gotten excited about some area a book says it will cover, only to find my topic of interest was mentioned only in passing. In this book, Sumi covers low firing in a variety of methods as well as typical and more contemporary decoration elements associated with low firing. The book explains the modern pit firing methods using a variety of chemicals as well as the use of barrel firing, raku and incorporating sagger firing using these methods or in your standard kiln. Beyond this, Sumi demonstrates both knowledge and respect for the traditional methods of pit firing methods. If one is interested in this, it comes as no surprise that most books on the subject are not "how to" pottery books but rather books by collectors of traditional pottery. In this book Sumi covers the methods of the Pueblo and Mata Ortiz potters with a level of detail, with the context of other pit firing, that one can attempt these methods without feeling that you have to guess about some of the details or that you have to visit the Reservations to talk with potters. Though, if you have the chance, go to the Reservations and talk to the potters!
Answered all my questions!!!!
She is as thorough in her book as in her videos! Besides terra sig recipes, you will find step by step descriptions of completed pottery examples down to the firing temps. Clay bodies are discussed in use with the different firing techniques- which is where I also needed a little guidance. This book helped me get on the right track. Highly recommended!!
Very thorough
I'm planning to try, for the first time in my life, making pottery using the low fire technique. I really don't like the idea of a Kiln, and want to make large objects. This is perfect because it shows everything you need to be successful
Nice explanations, good examples
Well written. Nice explanations, good examples.
This is a wonderful book, very clearly written about the various firing ...
This is a wonderful book , very clearly written about the various firing processes for one of a kind pottery. It has been extremely helpful to me in understanding some specific techniques pertaining to terra sigillata. The book was in excellent condition and arrived very quickly.
Very Informative Book
I really liked this book and will use information given to create burnished ceramics.
Five Stars
excellent
Good Read
good read
Five Stars
Sumi never disappoints!
Awesome book! Gotta have love for art! Gotta love the 500 Series!
Will gladly buy more books from this seller! Fast shipping and well packaged! I'm a happy with my 500 series! Got more 9 so far! It's time to start reading to gain more knowledge! I'm a happy camper! Beach, books, and coffee! Ciao!
Exactly what I was looking for.
Great starting point for burnishing and alternative firing techniques. Large variety of techniques ranging from those needing no specialist equipment through to dedicated raku kilns. A lot of clear information condensed into one small book.
Tricks of the trade, perfect for inquisitive potters!
It arrived in a timely fashion and the book itself...A GREAT addition to my ceramic knowledge as a potter and for work on my master's dissertation research!! It was exactly what I was looking for, a small book full of useful historic and hands-on information :) Thank you Sumi!
Great book
Excellent book on Saggar particularly. Highly enjoyed
Good alternative potting finishes.
I bought this for one of my sons who is at the beginning of potting. I find it informative, inspiring and exciting. It makes me wish I was young again and still able to pot.
Recommended
Recommended
Definitely recommend if this is your thing really love this book
Wonderful book, very pleased
