Pottery, for Artists, Craftsmen & Teachers

“ He wrought a work upon the wheels, and the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hands of the Potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the Potter to make it. ”—(Jeremiah.)
BY GEORGE J COX, ARCA. INSTRUCTOR in POTTERY & MODELLING AT TEACHERS COLLEGE—COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ILLUSTRATED by the AUTHOR
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COPYRIGHT, 1914, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Set up and electrotyped. Published November, 1914. Norwood Press J. S. Cushing Co.—Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U. S. A.
“O Master, pardon me, if yet in vain Thou art my Master, and I fail to bring Before men’s eyes the image of the thing My heart is filled with.”
—William Morris.

In such a spacious craft as Pottery it is difficult to steer a fair course between the empirical and the scientific. With that in mind this book sets out to tell in simple terms some of the processes of Potting, practicable to the student and to the more finished craftsman.
It is an intricate task to combine successfully the view-points of the artist and the scientist; but it seems that, without neglecting the many benefits bestowed by the advance of science, the Potter should stand with the former. The best in his craft has been produced by men that were artists rather than chemists. And what has been accomplished by loving, patient craftsmanship may surely be done again only in such ways.
To the artist craftsman, for whom chiefly this book is intended, a little scientific knowledge is a dangerous thing; for that reason no great stress is laid on formulas and analysis. Unless thoroughly understood they are a hindrance rather than an aid.
Although many schools teach elementary pottery, the expense of equipment possibly delays its introduction on a larger scale. For that reason I have preferred to err on the side of over-exactness of description and profuseness of illustration.
The slight historical review and introductory remarks are to be excused on the ground that they are intended to help to a study of the best work of the best periods, and so to foster a taste for the finest Ceramics. This is a vital matter when laying the foundations of a craft so fascinating and so full of alluring avenues to beckon the student from the true path.