ceramics - minnesota historical society（陶瓷u2014u2014明尼苏达州历史学会）.pdfVIP

Ceramics Found in such items as vessels, toys, loom weights, pipe bowls, and decorations Identification and General Information Ceramics are usually made by heating natural clays at a high temperature. Typically, clays for ceramics are grouped into two general types: red clay, which contains primarily silicon dioxide and iron oxide; and kaolin clay, which contains mostly aluminum oxide and almost no iron oxide. Because red clay contains more iron, it often has a rusty brown shade somewhere between light tan and dark brown, while pure kaolin clay is white. This section will discuss only red clay ceramics. Ceramics are often grouped into several loose categories based on the temperature at which they were fired. A general rule of thumb is that lower-fired ceramics will easily absorb water, while higher-fired ceramics will absorb little or no water. To test this, you can use a small paintbrush to apply a little water to an unglazed area of ceramic, and watch to see if it is drawn in. Because high-fired ceramics are less likely to absorb water, they have fewer salt problems (see below). Ceramics may have different surface finishes, coloration, or impressed designs. A glaze is a thin layer of clear or colored glass on the ceramic surface. A slip is usually more like a thin layer of clay and has a matte appearance and is a different color than the clay body. Ceramics may be coated with other materials as well, including paints and inks. Basic Care and Storage Ceramics are decorated most commonly with a slip or glaze that is fired on, or melted onto the surface when it is fired. Ceramics with a fired-on overall glaze or other decorations are 1 impervious to normal variations in temperature below several hundred degrees. These fired-on decorations also help protect ceramics from humidity. In recent decades, some ceramics have been initially fired but later decorated with paint or s