Ceramic crafts have been known since the Neolithic era. This statement proved by the discovery of various small pieces of pottery on the hills of Sumatran clam shells (in Indonesia). Ceramic craft is a type of craft made from forming and burning clay so that it changes its nature. In this case, the change referred to the clay itself. For example, before burning clay tends to have properties that still easily destroyed. However, after experiencing the combustion process, its properties become stronger.
Ceramic crafts are works of art made by humans that use clay as a material for making them. The word ceramic comes from Greek, namely keramos. This means that glassware is made from clay that has gone through the combustion process. So, the main raw material in making ceramic handicrafts is clay. Apart from clay, the manufacture of ceramics also requires materials such as sand, kaolin or white clay, binders, and other necessary materials.
The plastic character of this clay makes the raw material very easy to formed according to the crafter’s want. Even so, this plastic character also makes the material break down easily, so the combustion process is needed. The temperature determination for clay burning also varies. However, the temperature ranges from 600º Celsius to 1300º Celsius. This temperature must be adjusted according to the type of clay. For example, clay that is already a bit hard does not need a very high combustion temperature. On the other hand, clay that still slightly soft requires a higher temperature for combustion. In addition to making ceramics not easily destroyed, this combustion process is also intended so that this craft becomes denser and waterproof.
–sh
