Publication Date

1963

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Burke, Roy O.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Art

LCSH

Glazes

Abstract

Since glazes containing earthy characteristics are of prime importance to a stoneware potter, it was the writer's intention to take a group of selected ashes (since ashes were used in glazes by some of the earliest potters known) and test them for their practi­cal use as a major glaze ingredient. Obtaining a com­pletely accurate chemical analysis of the ashes used in this testing appeared impossible, so it was decided to use a visual means instead of a mathematical means in calculating the different glazes. The materials obtained were first prepared in the usual time-consuming method of burning, washing, re-washing, screening, and then drying. Further inves­tigation revealed a short-cut method in which the mate­rial was simply burned and screened, thus providing a larger amount of ash with which to experiment. Each of the ashes were then tested for their fired characteris­tics in a reduction atmosphere at cone 8. This testing brought out many favorable results. Using the visual method of formulating these glazes, it was necessary to also test individually some of the basic chemicals which were later added to each of the ashes. After the preliminary testing of the Individ­ual ashes and the Individual chemicals to be used, basic mixes were devised to combine the ashes with the chemicals and thus form a glaze. Many of these com­binations proved to bring satisfactory results in an oxidation atmosphere as well as a reduction atmosphere. In the problem undertaken of finding a practi­cal approach for the use of ash as a major glaze ingre­dient, many glazes having the earthy qualities desired were produced. By using the visual method in obtaining these glazes, it is the belief of the writer that any potter, beginner or professional, could easily devise a satisfactory glaze using any type of ash.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (leaf 23)

Extent

[vi], 28 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS