SLAB-BUILT POTS
http://pottery.about.com/od/handbuildingtechniques/tp/basicover.
htm
SLAB-BUILDING, ANCIENT TO MODERN
Slab-building techniques were used extensively
by Mesoamerican Pre-Columbian potters,
with some beautiful results.
 Other than these potters, though, slab pots were
only very minor players in the hand-building
playing field of other ancient cultures across the
globe.
 Today, slab pots and slab-building techniques are
experiencing a new popularity.
 Modern potters and ceramic sculptors have
embraced the slab, creating works using both soft
slabs and stiff leather-hard slabs.

SLAB BUILT POTS
SLAB BOX ASSIGNMENT MADE SIMPLE

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?
q=clay+slab+box&view=detail&mid
=8371774BB5571DAC91578371774
BB5571DAC9157&first=0
•You will use a ruler to precisely measure your sides
•All corners must be square, use score and slip as well as “snake” at
seams
•Designs can be imprinted before the drying process
•Cut out is done before the construction when the clay is leatherhard
•Do not use a hairdryer….we will wrap in plastic and wet towel to get
to leather-hard state
STIFF-SLAB CONSTRUCTION
The stiff-slab method is more appropriate for
architectural and geometric forms. The slab
is rolled then allowed to slowly dry to leatherhard stage before being cut and joined with
other stiffened slabs to create the form.
 Cutting away should occur before construction.
 Adding feet to a stiff-slab pot is best done after
the construction. Use score and slip method.
 Lids can be made from a complete (six sided) box
by using the potter’s needle or using wire.
 Wax resist the bottom of the box before final
firing

LEATHER-HARD WORKING
SLAB-BUILT BOX QUIZ
NAME________________________
1.
Where was slab building used largely in ancient times? A. Egypt
B. India
C. Mesoamerica
D.
Target Stores
2.
Can the slabs be hand rolled instead of using the slab roller? A. yes B. no C. only on rainy days D. never
3.
When can you carve or cut the sides to your box? A. before slabbing
when the slab is leather-hard and before construction
4.
What is score and slip? A. a new type of pizza
glue
C. a baseball term
B. once the pot is put together C.
D. after the bisque fire
B. making grooves on wet/leather hard clay and using the slip as a
D. none of the above
5.
What tool must be used to make the sides equal length? A. ruler
B. potter’s tool C. book
D. stapler
6.
A glaze is: A. applied after the bisque fire B. a chemical C. adds color or protection to a pot D. all of the above
7.
How is wax resist used: A. for crayon drawings B. never as a decorative property C. to remove unwanted hair D.
keep glaze from the bottom of a pot
8.
What is leather hard? A. a Marine term B. point where clay is hard but not dry C. used to make saddles D. last
stage in pottery making
9.
Cone 06 is the firing level for: A. glazes only
B. first fire C. last fire D. never used
10.
If you run out of time in class and your pot is not done: A. ask for a pass for PE
plastic and damp paper C. Throw the pot away D. give up
B. cover the pot with
Slab-Built Box Student Evaluation
Name______________________________________
Dated ________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
DESIGN
10 9 8 7 6 5 Other
CONSTRUCTION
10 9 8 7 6 5 Other
CRAFTSMANSHIP
10 9 8 7 6 5 Other
PATTERNS/TEXTURES
10 9 8 7 6 5
Other
GLAZING
10 9 8 7 6 5
Other
One aspect about this project that I learned
___________________________________________
Did you wax resist the bottom of the pots to keep glaze
from the shelf?
YES NO
Was this a project you would consider revising for your
final?
YES NO