The Art of Italian Terracotta
The Evolution of Terracotta Pots: From Functional Vessels to Decorative Ornaments
Terracotta pots range from large Tuscan jars to umbrella stands, flower vases, and all types of plant and flower containers. They are often found in simple, linear shapes with no decoration, or adorned with reliefs that reproduce ancient designs, reminiscent of the crests of noble medieval families. Today, these large pots serve exclusively as decorative pieces, but in the past, they were used daily as common vessels for storing grains, liquids, or small trees, depending on their shape. Those intended for liquids were "vitrified," making the terracotta waterproof through a process that is still faithfully repeated today.
The Craftsmanship of Tuscan Jars: From Creation to Decoration
The homeland of terracotta, which reaches its highest expression in the large Tuscan jars, is Tuscany. Not surprisingly, they are called "Tuscan jars." These jars, like all traditional pottery, are made entirely by hand. First, a clay model of the pot is created, and from this model, a plaster mold (cast) is made, which will be used to create copies of the pot.
Once the plaster mold is made, which for large pots may be in 4-6 pieces, a "sheet of clay" of the desired thickness is inserted and hand-patted to ensure it perfectly adheres to the surface of the mold. After the clay is applied to each section of the plaster mold, the bottom is attached with another piece of clay. The pot, at least in its initial phase, is now complete.
The process of creating Tuscan jars: From drying to firing.
The jar remains inside the mold for a variable period, depending on its size. Once the clay has dried enough to the point where the pot can stand on its own, the plaster mold is removed. At this stage, the jar is refined by hand—any imperfections are corrected. After this, the jar is left to dry for a few more days before being placed in the drying room (a room where hot air from the firing oven circulates). Once the jar is completely dried, it is placed in the kiln, typically a gas-fired oven, which reaches temperatures over 900 degrees Celsius.
After a couple of days of heating, firing, and cooling, the product is finished. There are many techniques to diversify the final product. Tuscan jars can be made from red clay (a typical Tuscan characteristic), antiqued to give the appearance of being old and weathered even when freshly made. Some types of pots, like umbrella stands, are often hand-painted and then subjected to a second firing, resulting in a hand-painted ceramic umbrella stand.
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