CONSTRUCTING A
COIL POT in a FORM
Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High
CERAMICS 1
CONSTRUCTING A COIL POT
 OBJECTIVE:
 The
student will learn how to use coilbuilding techniques to create a coil pot that
incorporates variety and pattern within a
cardboard form.
TYPES OF HAND BUILDING
 HAND-BUILDING TECHNIQUES:
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1.
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4.
Pinch Method
Piece Mounting Method
Slab Method
Coil Method
** Consideration must be given to the thickness of clay walls, moisture
content and methods for joining clay.
WHAT IS COILING?
 Coiling: A method of creating objects by
building bottom and/or walls with even, rope
like coils made from wedged clay.
COILING – The History…
 Pottery is one of the oldest art forms that have come
down to us.
 Its evolution and development through the ages, in
all geographical areas, has continued in almost
unbroken progress.
What is COIL CONSTUCTION?
 The ancient technique of building a coiled pot involves
squeezing, squashing and smoothing the successive layers of
coils into an even wall which tapers as it grows and encloses a
shape.
 To do this you need to turn the pot around slowly as you work.
COILING – The History…
 Early potters soon learned to make the task
of periodically turning the pot much easier
and more efficient by beginning their coiling
on a dish or bowl they could twist round as
they worked.
COILING – The History…
 Eventually a small turntable or "tournette" was
developed.
 With this a pot could be turned around much more
easily and quickly.
 The pot making technique in Mesopotamia now
gradually changed as the more potters adopted the
turntable for making and decorating.
COILING – The History…
 However, it took a long time for free running
steady turntables to be developed, therefore
"throwing", as we understand the technique
today, did not develop for a long time to
come.
 It would be more accurate to describe this
turntable making process as "fast coiling."
What are COIL POTS and who
made them?
Some examples of early coil pots made in Mesopotamia – Modern day Iraq.
CREATING
AND
USING A FORM
Create a geometric form to “build” your
project within.
THE FORM – the process…
 Using cardboard, students will make a “form” that
will then be lined with your coil design.
 The cardboard will be painted with hot wax to seal
the seams and allow the clay to be released easier.
 Avoid gaps in the cardboard, you might use a paper
prototype before moving onto the cardboard.
CREATING
AND
USING A FORM
What do you need to do?
Draw 3 sketches of coil pot designs.
Student and teacher will critique coil designs.
Select one design for the coil project.
Use variety and pattern in the construction of the coil pot.
The students should pre-plan the pot through drawings.
The students will correct mistakes in moisture levels of the clay or start over.
The construction of the pottery should complement the design and glaze –
kiln procedures.
 Written critique of piece.
 Demonstrate mastery of coil building.
 Show evidence of craftsmanship.
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Student Examples
Student Examples
Student Examples
Student Examples
GENERAL BUILDING
INFORMATION:
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Make a base within your geometric form.
The first coils should be placed directly on top
of the base and reinforced on the inside by a
smaller coil.
Knead first coil to base, after that every three
coils can be kneaded.
The use of slip between coils should prevent
splitting at coil joints during firing.
GENERAL BUILDING
INFORMATION:
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Coils should decrease in size as the pot is created.
Thicker coils on the bottom will support the weigh
of the thinner coils at the top.
Smoothing inside should be determined by design
and function.
Avoid accessive pressure when smoothing the
inside of the piece, you want the design to remain
against the form.
GENERAL BUILDING
INFORMATION:
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The coils themselves can be used as builtin decorative surface by making swirls,
holes, bumps, or by varying the height of
the coils.
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Do not try to join wet clay to dry clay – start
over!
Dry the pot slowly to prevent cracking or coil
separation.
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Grading Rubric…