I was lucky to see a demonstration by a potter from Crete.  She rolled out clay to make a cylinder,  added a bottom.  This simple shape formed the body of the jar.  The jar’s lid is a circle of clay molded over the cylinder like a collar and a head attached, featureless with hair etched into the clay and ring to make a crown (figure 1).  The result has the appearance of a traditonal form.  After making a few jars following her directions, I began to make changes.  At first I used the wheel to ‘throw’ the body shape — now less cylinder and more bell like.  The figure seemed to need more distinctive facial features, thus I began to sculpture the head adding nose, mouth, eyes, chin , cheeks and ears.  The headdress became more elaborate as did the hair (figure 2 and 3).  These jars are water tight and food safe – functional.

Advertisement