Ceramic - Pottery Dictionary

by Susan Mussi

HAMMER

ca: MARTELL

es: MARTILLO

Hammer is a tool with a head attached crosswise on to the top of a handle and used for beating one object into another, like a nail into wood or a pole into earth. It is usually made of metal or wood.

Hammers made as kitchenware are also used for ceramics. They are wooden, of different shapes, sizes and textures and are used for beating down clay and to indent textures. There is a similar tool, usually in wood, used for driving in other tools that have a wooden handle, such as a chisel. It is known under the name of mallet.