Coil PotteryTechniques and samples

Egyptian Canopic JarsCoil pottery technique used to create these jars that held embalmed organs of the nobility for burial in tombs and

pyramids.

Start with bottom of vase, a “snail” made of one or two coils

Slip together. Start to make the sides with coil placed on top of the base.

Vary the length of coils to create wider vase

Trim off excess length and blend edges of coils together

Slip between all coils or vase will fall apart when dry

If you don’t want slip to ruin your design on outside, slip coils on the inside of the pottery.

Blend and weld coils for a flat surface to draw on

OR

Coils can also be left exposed to show off technique

Careful planning can make for pleasing variations

Coils mixed with cut-out clay shapes for design

Coils can be braided to create basket effects

Coil pot made of coiled coils…

Sea Creatures decorate coil vases

Elephant Sculpture made using coils

Modern pottery using coil technique

Design gives the look of a vase from a fantastic land, from another time

Or possibly, another dimension…

Ancient Pueblo pottery with coils left

A stamp was pressed into the coils while still wet to give “rope” texture

Ancient Greek vases using coil technique

Coils have been smoothed-over so design flows on flat surface

Mini-house, could be used to make birdhouse

Coil Pottery Clay House

(We won’t be making these.)

When glazing, different colors can enhance design

Black and white makes for striking graphic design