Pottery kilns

Eady pottery is rather simple, having Httie surface decoration. Pyrotechnology was comparatively undeveloped and pottery was fired at relatively low temperatures. As kilns became available and were in turn further perfected, higher firing temperatures became attainable, resulting in harder, stronger wares. 

Fig. 1-2. A pottery kiln. Source Cipriano Piccolpasso, "The Three Books of the Potters s Art," fol. 35C, 1550. Translated by B. Rackham and A. Van de Put, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1934,...

Topfer-ofen, m. potter s kiln, -scheibe, /. potter s wheel, -ton, m. potter s clay, -ware, /. pottery. 

The compounds of the t/block elements show a wide range of interesting properties. Some are vital to life. Iron is an essential component of mammalian blood. Compounds of cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc are found in vitamins and essential enzymes. Other compounds simply make life more interesting and colorful. The beautiful color of cobalt blue glass, the brilliant greens and blues of kiln-baked pottery, and many pigments used by artists make use of d-block compounds. 

There Is something strangely suggestive in the relies of ancient pottery-kilns that still linger on the scene of their former active operations. The modern Staffordshire potter has derived do heritage from his Roman predecessor. Thera had been no continuity of work. Centnries of disuse had obliterated the very memory... 

The most characteristic examples are from the neighborhood of Castor in Northamptonshire, where Roman kilns for their production also yet remain this class of Roman pottery has accordingly obtained the title of Castor rva/re. The fragment represented in Fig, 462 is from Castor and the vase—Fig. 463— which is a most characteristic example, was found at Water Newton, also in Northamptonshire, So perfect are the remains of the Roman kilns, that the different processes employed for firing the wares have been... 

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