Slipcasting
Encyclopedia
Slipcasting is a technique for the mass-production of pottery
, especially for shapes not easily made on a wheel. A liquid clay body slip
(usually mixed in a blunger
) is poured into plaster
moulds
and allowed to form a layer, the cast, on the inside cavity of the mould. In a solid cast mould, ceramic objects such as handles and platters are surrounded by plaster on all sides with a reservoir for slip, and are removed when the solid piece is held within. For a hollow cast mould
, once the plaster has absorbed most of the liquid from the outside layer of clay the remaining slip is poured off for later use. The cast piece is removed from the mould, "fettled" (trimmed neatly) and allowed to dry. This produces a greenware piece which is then dried before firing, with or without decoration and glaze.
The technique is suited to the production of complex shapes, and is commonly used for sanitary ware, such as toilets and basins, and smaller pieces like figurines and teapot
s. The technique can also be used for small scale production runs or to produce limited editions of objects.
The French for slip is barbotine
("Coulée en barbotine" is slipcasting), and "barbotine pottery" is sometimes used for 19th century French and American pottery with added slipcast decoration.
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
, especially for shapes not easily made on a wheel. A liquid clay body slip
Slip (ceramics)
A slip is a suspension in water of clay and/or other materials used in the production of ceramic ware. Deflocculant, such as sodium silicate, can be added to the slip to disperse the raw material particles...
(usually mixed in a blunger
Blunger
A blunger is a machine commonly used in the pottery industry for mixing clay and water. A blunger usually consists of a round or octagonal tank with a mixer. Clay is added to the water filled blunger and then mixed into a slurry, which is also called slip...
) is poured into plaster
Plaster
Plaster is a building material used for coating walls and ceilings. Plaster starts as a dry powder similar to mortar or cement and like those materials it is mixed with water to form a paste which liberates heat and then hardens. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft after setting,...
moulds
Molding (process)
Molding or moulding is the process of manufacturing by shaping pliable raw material using a rigid frame or model called a pattern....
and allowed to form a layer, the cast, on the inside cavity of the mould. In a solid cast mould, ceramic objects such as handles and platters are surrounded by plaster on all sides with a reservoir for slip, and are removed when the solid piece is held within. For a hollow cast mould
Molding (process)
Molding or moulding is the process of manufacturing by shaping pliable raw material using a rigid frame or model called a pattern....
, once the plaster has absorbed most of the liquid from the outside layer of clay the remaining slip is poured off for later use. The cast piece is removed from the mould, "fettled" (trimmed neatly) and allowed to dry. This produces a greenware piece which is then dried before firing, with or without decoration and glaze.
The technique is suited to the production of complex shapes, and is commonly used for sanitary ware, such as toilets and basins, and smaller pieces like figurines and teapot
Teapot
A teapot is a vessel used for steeping tea leaves or a herbal mix in near-boiling water. Tea may be either in a tea bag or loose, in which case a tea strainer will be needed, either to hold the leaves as they steep or to catch the leaves inside the teapot when the tea is poured...
s. The technique can also be used for small scale production runs or to produce limited editions of objects.
The French for slip is barbotine
Barbotine
Barbotine is the French for ceramic slip, or a mixture of clay and water used for moulding or decorating pottery. In English the term is used for two different techniques. In the first, common from the Ancient World onwards, the barbotine is piped onto the object rather as cakes are decorated...
("Coulée en barbotine" is slipcasting), and "barbotine pottery" is sometimes used for 19th century French and American pottery with added slipcast decoration.
External links
- Slipcasting at the Nymphenburg Porcelain ManufactoryNymphenburg Porcelain ManufactoryThe Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory , manufacturer of Nymphenburg porcelain, is situated in the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, capital of Bavaria, and since the mid-eighteenth century has been manufacturing porcelain of high artistic value.- History :After his accession in 1745 Maximilian III...