Experimental Beginnings

Much of my initial research has been theory laden and it has been quite difficult to track down any sources that illustrate particular designs and vessels. While the information I have found is certainly useful for any written project on Anglo-Saxon ceramics, it makes it quite difficult to create any replications.

Thankfully we have been grated access to a wonderful resource, as pictured below.

While obviously not exclusively about ceramics, this book contains many wonderful illustrations that will aid in the modelling our vessels. In addition, there are many colour photographs that depict the inlaid designs in detail. For example, the illustrations pictured below will aid greatly in attempting to create similarly constructed vessels.

This, along with many other similar pages will help our construction process. Through research, as mentioned  in our project proposal, we have determined that coil building techniques were the predominant method of ceramic construction. With the pottery experience I personally have I hope to be able to replicate one or more of the vessels as closely as possible.

In our construction we have already encountered a couple of our expected difficulties. First of all, we were not able to gain access to the pottery studio we had wanted to. Due to time constraints, in conjunction with a studio schedule that required 3 full classes, we have instead decided to take a different approach.

Using clay purchased from an art supply store, we now are going to attempt construction at home. Although it will not be kiln certified clay, and we will instead be oven baking our vessels. The process should be essentially the same.

After initial construction we will allow them to dry to a leather hard state. At this point they will be ideal for decoration such as inscribing and carving. Once we have achieved the desired results we will then allow them to dry further before baking them in the oven.

As the process of construction continues I intend to post pictures. In this I hope to show success and possible failures during the experimental process.

-SDP