Unity
These functional parts of one design, differing in service rendered, form centers of construction and may receive emphasis in outline enrichment. Corners and terminal points are likewise available for decoration and will be discussed at length later.
Figure 107.—Clay Outline Enrichment in the Rookwood Potteries
Enrichment in clay and metal generally means a substitution of curved for straight lines in the enriched portions of the design. These curves have the ability to impart grace, lightness, and variety to an object provided they are based upon constructive features of the problem. They must have a unit of measurement and must likewise be appropriate to the material. It is therefore necessary to deal with clay in this chapter and follow with a consideration of metal in [another chapter].
In [Figures 109] to [123], [Plate 24], we have a number of examples of variation of practically the same primary enclosing rectangle. [Figure 108] represents a "squarely" proportioned circular bowl lacking both refinement of proportion and enrichment. [Figure 109] has added refinement of proportions. [Figures 110] and [111] have introduced an outline enriched to the extent of a simple curve. The base is the dominant width in the first, and the top dominates in width in the second. The outline in [Figure 112], while similar to [110] for a portion of its length, departs at a stated point and by curving in toward the base supplies more variety to the contour. We have already said that this outline curve should have a unit of measurement and by referring to Rules 2a and 2b we are able to formulate the following:
Unit of Measurement for Curves in Outline Enrichment
Rule 5e. In cylindrical forms outline curves with a vertical tendency should have their turning points or units of measurement in accordance with the horizontal divisions of Rules 2a and 2b. [Figures 112] and [113] have as their unit of measurement two horizontal spaces formed in accordance with Rule 2a, while [Figures 116] and [117] have still more variety by the addition of a compound curve with its turning points or unit of measurement based upon Rule 2b. [Figures 114] and [115] with outlines similar to those in [Figures 112] and [113], respectively, have an additional enrichment, the foot and rim accentuation.
Accentuation of Functional Parts in Clay