American Stonewares: The Art & Craft of Utilitarian Potters

by Georgeanna H. Greer

Hardcover: 286 pages
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing; Revised Fourth Edition (2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0-7643-2247-8
Dimensions: 11.25" x 8.75" x 1.1"
Shipping Weight: 4.01 lbs.

This entirely new and different book on American Stonewares presents the history and the technology of production. Complete chapters describe the method of turning clay into pots, common and uncommon forms in which pots were made, the meaning of various marks and the varieties of decoration, the glazes employed, and the firing process.

The over 350 black and white photographs and 16 color plates complement the text and illustrate the range of form, glaze and decoration fully.

Never before have the various forms manufactured been so completely described and pictured. Temporal and regional variations are presented. Pots from different areas of the United States and Canada and dating from the earliest eighteenth century pieces into the twentieth century are included.

A detailed chapter on glazes describes the characteristics of the four major forms of glaze used upon American Stonewares, including the curious Southern Alkaline form of glaze. The manner of preparation, components, characteristics and defects of these glazes is fully presented. A chapter on firing includes a description of various methods of stacking and furniture employed for this as well as a discussion of the effects of firing upon the body clay and the glazes.

Common foreign stonewares brought to this country during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are pictured and described to set them apart from American pots.

Every major collector, historical archaeologist, and concerned museum should find this an indispensable reference. Many others interested in nineteenth century American arts and crafts should also find a wealth of information here.