Coil-built Vessels:

Inspired by Classical Vessel Shapes

Students in the Fayetteville-Manlius High School Studio in Ceramics program are introduced each year to the ancient tradition of pottery that is constructed using ropes of clay called coils. The earliest known examples of coil-built vessels were produced by the Jomon Culture in Japan dating back about 15,000 years. The Jomon ceremonial flame style vessel showed a remarkable sculptural expressiveness. The classical pottery shapes produced by the ancient Minoans, Greeks, Chinese and Native American potters are still being interpreted by potters today. Pitchers, ewers, amphorea, kraters, bowls and vases, in a seemingly endless variety of shapes, were made before the high-speed potter's wheel was invented. The early turntable which was the forerunner of the flywheel driven potter's wheel, was used as early as 3,500 BC to enable potters to perfect often large vessels. With the introduction of a heavy flywheel, potters could shape sizable vessels from a single ball of clay. However, for large-scale circular vessels, coil-throwing was, and still is, the preferred method.

The students' coil-built vessels below are examples of their research and interpretation of ancient coil vessel shapes. Many of the larger vessels were constructed using the coil-throwing technique, which requires good coil-forming and wheel-throwing techniques. Students also researched surface decorating themes, imagery and techniques employed by ancient potters. FM Students are challenged to develop their own design motifs and narratives.