The Story of Ceramic

The Story of Ceramic

Ceramic is the artwork that shows the connection between humans and nature. This article will talk about the story of ceramics such as background, the production process of ceramic, the Benjarong story, Ceramic gifts, and contemporary ceramics.

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History of Ceramics

In the past, ceramic meant the art related to pottery as the word “ceramic” comes from the Greek word “Keramos” which means heated material. Nowadays, ceramic refers to products made from natural raw materials such as clay, stone, sand, and minerals. They are mixed and made into pottery. People divide pottery products according to the texture of the clay such as the type that can absorb water, including glazed and unglazed types. When the sculpture is finished, it will be fired to strengthen and maintain its shape.

The process of making ceramic

Categorized the materials

Raw materials for making ceramics include clay, sand, soil, stoneware, etc. The sculptors ground these raw materials with water. After that, they will squeeze out the water to get the clay to be molded.

Examples of raw materials for making ceramic

1. Kaolin
When it is fired at a temperature of about 1,200 degrees Celsius, it will be white but not very sticky. Therefore, clay must be cemented into it to help in shaping

2. Clay or Ball Clay
Black clay has high stickiness so it is used to mix with kaolin to form shaping more easily. The source of clay in Thailand that is commonly used for industrial production is in Surat Thani Province.

3. Quartz (SiO 2)
It can increase strength and durability and prevent shrinkage of the clay. The source of quartz in Thailand is in Ratchaburi.

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Sculpting

Handbuilding Techniques
This technique offers a range of creative possibilities for shaping clay. There are 3 common methods:

1. Pinching: This involves using the thumb, fingers, and palm to shape the clay by pinching and squeezing it into the desired form.
2. Coiling: it involves rolling out long ropes or “coils” of clay and stacking or spiraling them on top of each other to build up the form. This technique is for creating pots, vases, and sculptures.
3. Slab-building: Slab-building utilizes flat sheets of clay (slabs) that are cut, manipulated, and assembled to create three-dimensional forms.

These 3 methods of handbuilding techniques involve leaving traces from our hands on the piece as if telling a story between the sculptor and the piece, which is one of the charms of ceramic sculpting. It is also another method that ceramic brands today commonly use.

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Wheel-Throwing
Forming in this way requires practice and skill because it is a coordinated work between concentration, emotions, clay, and hands. The sculptor must know the nature of clay quite well, including how to sculpt and use hand weight. The work produced by wheel-throwing comes out in a symmetrical shape. It is another method that can help in making ceramics faster.

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Molding
It is the same method that general ceramic factories use. The process starts with pouring liquid plaster into a master model and allowing it to set. Once the mold is prepared, the slip(a fluid mixture of clay and water) is poured into the mold. As the plaster absorbs moisture from the slip, a layer of clay begins to form on the inner surface of the mold. When the desired thickness of clay has formed on the inner surface of the mold, the next step is pouring out the slip. After that, turn the mold upside down to prevent scratches from water droplets. After leaving it until dry, gently flipping it up to remove the mold, you will have the desired symmetrical piece.

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Painting

Ceramic products can increase their beauty and value by decorating the surface to create patterns and colors. Decorating with patterns and colors includes techniques and methods like sculpture and painting, such as sculpting, carving, stenciling, painting patterns, glazing to create various patterns, etc. Each method will give a different appearance and beauty.

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Glazing

The substance for coating ceramics is Glaze, which is a combination of silicate and a solubilizer. The glaze is applied to the clay in a layer 1-1.5 mm thick. Once glazed, the ceramic must be allowed to dry and be wiped clean before entering the kiln. When fired through high temperatures, the glassy material in the glaze reaches its melting point, causing the layer of glaze to become shiny glass attached to the surface of the clay. The glazing is glass-like, water-repellent, and also increases durability, making the pottery not easily chipped when frequently bumped against each other and can hold liquids without leaking.

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Firing

The first firing of ceramics is bisque firing, where the temperature of the kiln rises slowly so that the pottery retains its shape and does not crumble. Some ceramics that already pass through the bisque firing can be usable products without glazing, such as plant pots, bricks, and water filter cartridges. However, most people will glaze them to make them beautiful and durable to prevent scratches on the surface.

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Benjarong

Benjarong is one of the handicrafts of pottery in Thai society since the Ayutthaya period. Therefore, Benjarong pottery has a more Thai beauty than other types of pottery. It is a famous home decoration in the royal court of the noble houses. Benjarong is one of the top Thai well-known intellectual heritages on the world stage. The professional skill of the craftsmen in this field even amazes Thai people because it requires both knowledge and expertise in every step of the production process to complete Benjarong pottery to be a magnificent piece of work.

Gifts from ceramic

We have to find good gifts for important occasions because it is a time when everyone will be together to share happiness. Giving a gift is like giving thanks to your father, mother, or family members that you love or showing respect for elders as well as customers or business partners. Ceramics or Benjarong sets are appropriate as gifts or souvenirs because they represent Thai identity that reflects philosophical concepts, creativity, and design. There are beautiful patterns and meticulousness that combine the delicate shapes of ceramics with Thai craftsmanship skills.