Fig. 22
The arm is then swung clear of the mould, which is well sponged with water to receive the clay. This is carefully wedged and then rolled out or batted flat on a piece of leather until it is a little thicker than the thickest part of the platter (see Fig. 23). The slab so made is smoothed with a palette knife, taken up, leather and all, slapped onto the mould, clay side down, and the leather removed. The clay is now well dabbed down with a wet sponge or dabber, to take out all wrinkles, pressed firmly onto the mould and the waste cut off.
Fig. 23
Now the jigger or head is set spinning, the jolley pulled over it, and the profile gently pressed into the clay. Water is used freely to prevent the profile sticking, and as it becomes clogged the clay is removed. The turning is continued until the profile comes to a stop on the rest. Holes that may appear should be filled up before the finish, at which time the surface should present a smooth unscratched appearance. The shape is allowed to dry on the mould until tough enough to be slipped face down onto a perfectly flat slab dusted with fine sand or flint to prevent
sticking. In this position it is left to dry, when the edges are nicely trimmed with fine sandpaper.
For bowls the process is similar, but the mould here gives the outside and the profile the inside as in cut. (Fig. 24.) If made on the outside, they split before they can be removed. With small bowls the clay is wedged and a lump pressed into the mould by hand. With large bowls requiring a deep foot this must be turned separately and stuck on after the bowl is removed from the mould.
Fig. 24