Coiling is a well-known technique in
ceramics that has been utilized for thousands of years to create
pottery and other objects. It involves the use of a long, rolled-out piece of clay, referred to as a ‘coil.’ Potters use this coil to build up walls of a vessel or sculpture by overlapping and attaching the coils to each other.
Creating coiled
pottery typically begins with the clay being shaped into a flat base, and then the first coil is rolled out and attached to the base. Each successive coil is then overlapped with previous ones, using a wet finger or a wooden tool to smooth and blend the coils into a single piece. The potter may vary the thickness and width of the coils to create variations in the form or texture of the finished object, leading to a more complex and interesting final product.
One of the benefits of coiling is that it can result in very sturdy, reliable
ceramic vessels that are less prone to cracking than, for example, wheel-thrown pots. And while coiling is often used to create traditional and functional pots, it is also a favorite technique of contemporary
ceramic artists in creating sculptures and other objects.
Coiling is a technique that requires a good deal of patience, skill, and knowledge of clay and
firing. And while it has been used for thousands of years, it remains a popular and effective method for creating
ceramic objects due to its versatility and unique aesthetic qualities.
Ceramics