[Sca-cooks] re: pottery

[Mercy Neumark]

Egyptian paste does have silica, as does glass, but has a clay base (clay
does have silica as well in general).  Some sites mentions that it is
considered as part of the glass family, but most sites say it is a clay that
is associated with glass (as pottery is associate with glass as well
sometimes in general).  A bit confusing.

See these links that talk about it.

http://www.walkerceramics.com.au/egyptian%20paste.htm
http://www3.sympatico.ca/m.b.pratt/Rob/egypt.htm
http://www.artnet.com/magazine/features/cassidy/cassidy8-25-00.asp

excerpts of pages:

http://www.walkerceramics.com.au/materials.htm
BA285 - EGYPTIAN PASTE (from the link above)
The principle of a self-glazing clay was originally developed in ancient
Egypt and is now available as Egyptian Paste. It is a self-glazing clay. You
need only the powders, a few lengths of nichrome wire, an electric kiln and
a little imagination to create a limitless variety of beads, buttons,
scarabs, charms and a wide assortment of jewellery. Quite simple to work
with by adding enough water to the powder to make a paste. Pieces can be
formed by rolling on a clean, non-absorbent surface or in the palm of your
hand or by hand modelling. To allow for complete glazing, beads and buttons
can be dried by being strung on a piece of nichrome wire (the glaze is in
the paste and comes to the surface during drying). Fired to Cone 06, the
colours are vivid and bright. Stains and oxides can be added for the desired
colour effects. Recipes can be supplied upon request or at point of
purchase.

http://infinity.sequoias.cc.ca.us/art/selph/clay.html
(from the link above) Egyptian Paste was used for figurines and beads before
and during Cleopatra's time. It is a self glazing clay body with a high salt
(flux) content. It can be made in many colors, but was often made turquoise
blue with the addition of copper.

Maiolica is a glazing technique, used normally on low fire earthenware
(think painting plates with this glaze technique).  It is also called
Delftware and faience.

Hopefully that makes more sense to my ramblings before. :)

--Arte

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