Ceramic - Pottery Dictionary

by Susan Mussi

FOOT (a) Pottery: plates, jars and bowls.

ca: PEU (a) Ceràmica: plats, gerres I bols.

es: PIE (a) Alfarería: platós, jarros y tazones.

FOOTING
Foot: The basis or foundation on which anything is established – Webster`s,
Foot: The outside bottom part of a utensil designed to stand on – Susan.

The different types are separated into the following sections:-
Footing made in the process of throwing.
Footing that is turned and formed like a jar.
Footing that is molded separately and then attached.
Footing ridge that goes round the outer edge.
Footing that is completely flat.

Footings and the purposes they are made for:-
To make a rounded base straight so as to balance the piece when standing.
To add elegance to the basic shape and the overall design.
To leave a space in the center of the footing that can be left with a glaze, this leaves space for a signature or stamp.
A footing can be of any height and width, in relation to the object it is supporting.

The following section explains and shows illustrations of the method of turning the footings of a bowl and the same is used for plates, pots and all round objects.

The Illustrations
a) This is to show how clean a footing should be when glaze fired. It has holes and metal for hanging,
b) The first photo is to show the footing in relation to the shape of the bowl and the next is from underneath with the signature.
c) Stem turning tools that are good for footing.

Note: Chucks are to hold work upside down while working on the foot. They can be handmade or industrially made.

The next section; Foot (b) Turned like a bowl