help, please....

[Lisa Carter]

On Thu, 7 Nov 1996 Caitrin3 at aol.com wrote:

> Greetings all,
> I have a request and if anyone can help, I would really appreciate it.  To
> start, I make ceramic feast ware.  I use extremely mundane materials and
> methods doing this.  I have been told by many that molded ceramics are not
> period.  About a year ago, I met a lady (I don't remember her name or where
> she is from, sorry) who said that she read a book that mentioned molded
> ceramics found in archealogy digs.  Does anyone have any info that could help
> me find this?  I doubt that I would actually compete in A & S, but I would
> like to display my work.  I feel uncomfortable though, since I am using
> modern molds, paints and firing to make my stuff.  Any info that anyone could
> think as useful, I would appreciate.  If you wish, e-mail me so that this
> doesn't tie up the net.  Thank you, in advance, for your help.
> 
> Lady Catrin Mac Cracken
> Caitrin3 at aol.com
> 


I belive we talked at TSQ a year ago.  I have still been doing a great
bit of research on this issue.  Molding can be dated back to 3000 b.c. -
the famous "Rams Head" cup was a molded/thrown piece.  The book Mold
making for ceramics by Donald E. Frith has this information.  It also
explains how to make molds.  Another reference source Looking at European
Ceramics - by David Harris Cohen and Catherine Hess talks about period
molding. 

After about a year I have finally made a working mold.  I'm am also 
learning how to throw pottery.  To create the mold I made a sold piece on 
the wheel.  I then made the mold out of plaster from that piece - then 
using slip to create the end form. So to make a long answer - yes the 
greenware you are using is period.  Well that is- that is who they did 
it.  I've noted there were certain period forms also.  What we think 
looks like a period item I have discovered is not necessary period.

I will be at LPT this weekend with a pottery display.  I would love to 
discuss the hows and whats of it.  If you are not there - my number is in 
the Black Star - I am also the Western Regional Rapier Marshall.  Hope to 
see you there this weekend.

Kayleigh Drake