Types of Commercial Pottery
The reader should carefully consider the postulate and various divisions of Rule 7 and try to apply them to the material now under consideration. Acknowledgment is made for material supplied by the Rookwood Potteries for [Figures 288], [289], [292], [293], [294], [297], [298], [315]; [327] and [332]; Newcomb Potteries, Figures [314], [316], [317], [318], [326]; Teco Potteries, [329]; Keramic Studio Publishing Company, [302], [307], [308], [310], [312].
INSTRUCTION SHEET
[Plate 51] illustrates the marginal surface enrichment of low cylindrical forms, with part surface enrichment of two higher forms.
SUMMARY OF DESIGN STEPS
(a) Draw primary mass:
For square or rectangular areas draw square rectangle, etc.
For shallow circular forms draw a circle.
For low cylindrical forms draw a rectangle; subdivide this if desired by a unit of measurement into two horizontal divisions.
For high cylindrical forms draw a rectangle; subdivide this if desired by a unit of measurement into two or three horizontal divisions. Rule 5e.
(b) Design simple contour enrichment based upon these units of measurement.
(c) Locate zone of enrichment.
(d) Draw inceptive axes:
For square or rectangular areas draw diameters, diagonals, or both.
For shallow circular forms draw radii of the primary circle; concentric circles for bands.
For low cylindrical forms draw the elements of the underlying cylindrical form for extended borders or lines paralleling the top or bottom of the primary mass for bands.
For high cylindrical forms draw inceptive axes similar to low cylindrical forms.
(e) Locate points of concentration in these inceptive axes.
(f) Determine manner and amount of surface enrichment.
(g) Add leading lines and develop these into surface enrichment.
(h) Make potter's working drawing, full size (See [Plate 26]). Add the necessary amount for shrinkage and otherwise prepare the drawing for potter's use.
(i) Make a paper tracing of the surface enrichment for transfer to clay body and cut a zinc or tin template as a contour guide in building the form.
SUGGESTED PROBLEMS
Design a cider or chocolate set with appropriate surface enrichment.
Design an architectural tile 6 in. by 9 in. for accenting a brick fireplace in the home.
SUMMARY OF RULES
Rule 9a. Surface enrichment of clay must be so designed as to be able to withstand the action of heat to which all ware must be submitted.
Rule 9b. Incised, pierced, and modeled decoration in clay should be simple and bold and thus adapted to the character of the material.
Rule 9c. A border should not be located at the point of greatest curvature in the contour of a cylindrical form. The contour curve is of sufficient interest in itself at that point.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Compare the surface enrichment of clay with that of wood.
2. State a major requirement of a good pottery design.
3. Give the broad divisions into which it is possible to divide the decorative processes of clay surface enrichment.
4. Name and briefly describe eight methods of enriching the surface of clay.
5. What precautions should be exercised with regard to the use of incised, pierced, and modeled decoration?
6. Should a border be placed at the point of greatest curvature of the contour? Give reasons.
7. Name method of classifying structural forms in clay into four groups.
8. State problems and possible zones of enrichment in each group. Give reasons for choice.
9. State type of design unit, conventionalized, natural or artificial forms, location of inceptive axis, points of concentration, and process for each zone of enrichment.
10. What is an element of a cylindrical surface?
Chapter XIII
SURFACE ENRICHMENT OF PRECIOUS METALS
Small Flat Planes
Base and Precious Metals
[Chapter XII] referred to clay as a free and plastic material adapted to a wide range of surface enrichment processes. Metal as a more refractory material offers greater resistance to the craftsman and is relatively more limited in its capacity for surface enrichment. As was the case in the consideration of contour enrichment for designing purposes, it is necessary in the consideration of surface enrichment to divide metal into two groups: precious and base metals. As the field of design in both base and precious metals is large, we shall consider the surface enrichment of precious metals only in this chapter.
Divisions for Enrichment