MEETING REPORT

Luis Reira gave us an enjoyable and informative slide
presentation on Spanish potters at the May Guild meeting.
As well as slides and samples of the folk pottery, we
saw the whole process of the potter from digging clay

to firing.

The local throwing clay is red earthenware, slaked down
in large outdoor pools and allowed to dry to throwing
consistency. A local white clay is used for slip
trailing, sgraffito, ete. In some areas of Spain,
intricate cobalt decoration is dene on a solid layer of
white slip.

Massive pots are thrown by the coiling method: a lump
is centered and thrown with the correct size base with a
short wall; a large coil is pinched onto the base ina
tapering cone shape and thrown, centering the top first.
Standard shapes take a certain number of coils. They
throw very fast and the pieces sell very cheaply.

The work is once-fired with a soft wood ina large
updraft kiln, taking 24 days. The potters did not know
what temperature they fired to, only the colour of the
Flame and smoke, and from two mugs used as draw-rings.

Their knowledge is practical, not technical. They use
Galena lead glazes, transparent or with manganese or
copper, fired to about 1,000°C. The pottery is very
traditional, such as oil and water jars, milking jugs,
wash pans and even hot water bottles.

Luis warns us that only men make pottery there, and
recommends the Museum of Ceramics in Barcelona.

Phyllis Argyle.