Clay Vocabulary

Question 1

Green ware

Answer 1

Raw unfired clay

Question 2

Leather hard

Answer 2

Wet, but rigid clay

Question 3

Score

Answer 3

To make shallow cuts in into the service of the clay before painting with slip and joining to another piece of clay

Question 4

Slip

Answer 4

Creamy mixture of clay and water used to fasten two pieces of clay together after both pieces have been scored

Question 5

Glaze

Answer 5

Coating of finely ground minerals that are fired to form a glassy coating on finished ceramics

Question 6

Vitrification

Answer 6

Fired clay that has fused together completely, so that the pores between refractory particles are filled with glass and the body is impervious to water

Question 7

Slaking

Answer 7

The process of returning dry unfired play into a slip by soaking in water

Question 8

Plasticity

Answer 8

How flexible moist clay is

Question 9

Burnishing

Answer 9

Method of achieving a shine by rubbing clay or slip with smooth hard objects

Question 10

Earthenware

Answer 10

Low – fired ware, usually still porous after firing – must be sealed with vitreous glaze to be functional

Question 11

Bisque Ware

Answer 11

Clay that’s been fired one time and is porous and unglazed