This article follows on from one in the preceding issue of Ceramic Review (CR247) that mainly discussed the history of agateware and gave a more detailed description for producing this type of banded ware by throwing. As one may expect, the twisting action of the wheel tends to produce spiral patterns that are, to a certain extent at least, rather random. The agateware based on hand-building, press-moulding, and slabbing techniques allows for many other decorative possibilities, ranging from designs that are more fluid (image 1) to formal and geometric constructions (image 21. In these examples, known as 'solid' or laid' agateware, the patterning persists throughout the thickness of the clay. In a slightly different approach, thin, prepared agate sections are applied to the surface of the clay either as a veneer, 'surface agate', or pressed into the clay, a technique described as 'rolled inlay'.
展开▼
