[Ansteorra] question on ceramics and its history

[Stefan li Rous]

Centurian Giotto commented:
> I have documentation of plaster molding being used under plates on  
> a kick wheel during throwing to form the smooth inside of the plate  
> and of plaster press molds for "lace woven" plate edges.  Both  
> processes are shown in "Three Books of the Potter's Art", a  
> thirteenth century treatise on pottery techniques.

Oh! Interesting. I'd never thought to consider that if you were wheel  
throwing a plate that you really would want to do that upside down.

I also have a bit on the use of plaster within period, but I don't  
think anyone mentioned anything like this.
plaster-msg       (16K)  3/17/99    Use of plaster in period.  
References.

I also don't remember anyone mentioning this "Three Books of the  
Potter's Art" treatise before, either.

If you'd care to elaborate on any of this further, I'd love to have  
one or more such articles for the Florilegium. Or even a few messages  
on these subjects to add to the appropriate files if you'd don't feel  
like doing the articles.

Also, for us folks who aren't that familiar with pottery, what do you  
and Mistress Clarissa mean by "slip casting"?

Thanks,
    Stefan
--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
    Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas           
StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****