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Clay

Ancient peoples formed clay into figurines as early as 29,000-25,000 BC; remnants of pottery created 20,000 years ago were found in southern China. Elaborate Nok figurines from Nigeria date back to 500 BC. Widespread use (and creation of) pottery has been found from the Neolithic era (5000 - 2200 BC) and continues to the present day in cultures all around the world. Although the process is basically the same, different techniques and unique decorations distinguish pottery and clay wares from one culture to another.

Clay comes from the ground; it is fine, filtered type of dirt. Different types of clay include earthenware, stoneware and kaolin - each resulting different grades of pottery. Clay can be molded, modeled, carved, textured, glazed, stained, and painted. It is made into pottery, tiles, sculptures, masks, and more.

Basic building techniques include coiling, pinching and slab construction but methods between cultures vary. (There are links to the clay processes of many cultures below) The clay is fired in a kiln, pit or similar heating process to harden the clay. Once fired, it is finished in a variety of ways, including glazing, staining, and polishing.

Today, there are many other types of clay for professionals and students. Air dry clay turns hard without firing. Polymer clay will stay maleable until fired in a home oven and comes in many bright colors. Model Magic is a childrens' clay that is very easy to work with (and is actually made from common materials found in a home kitchen). Simple Playdoh has been childrens' first modeling experience for decades.

A variety of clay can be purchased at Blick Art Supplies

Silenus Painter;Diomedes and Polyxena; Side B from an Etruscan amphora of the Pontic group; ca. 540–530 BC; from Vulci

Anasazi mugs; 1000 to 1280 AD; southwest Colorado, USA

Longquan celadons; 13th century; Longquan, Zhejiang, China;

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux; bust of Charles Carpeaux; 1870; terra cotta

The above images are in the public domain.

Some sites about clay:
Info Please: Clay
About Clay

Some sites about the history of pottery and ceramics:
Wikipedia: Ceramic Art
NY Times: Oldest Pottery in China
Pottery by American Indian Women
All About African Art
African Potters: The Making of Pots
History World: History of Pottery and Porcelain
Pottery of Western Cameroon
Ancient History: Greek Pottery
Classical Art Research Center: Introduction to Greek Pottery
About.com: Pottery
Guide to Chinese Ceramics
The Metropolitan Museum: Lapita Pottery
The Metropolitan Museum: Ife Terracottas

Some tips and techniques of working with clay:
The Metropolitan Museum: Bernini in Action
Follow the Black Rabbit: Materials and Techniques
Ceramics Arts Daily: Ceramic Sculpture
Artists and Illustrators: Beginners Guide to Sculpting in Clay
Ceramics Arts Daily: Clay Sculpture Techniques

Learn Sculpting: Lesson 1 Clay Modeling - YouTube

Some artists who worked with clay:
Ceramics from Africa and Egypt
Ceramic from China
Inca Art

Some contemporary artists who work with clay:
Ronit Baranga
Feet of Clay Sculpture
Johnson Tsang
Todd Leech
Philippe Faraut
Sandia: Fine Mexican Folk Art
Venice Clay Artists
Fran Maguire
Jennifer McCurdy
Ceramics Now Artists List
Dovetail Gallery: Fimo Creations by Jon Anderson