From raw material to finished pottery
After the clay has been placed in the appropriate molds and
dried, the pottery objects are first fired at 950° C. After glazing, they are
fired a second time, this time at 1280° C. This process produces the so-called
"stoneware", not to be confused with "earthenware", which
is fired at lower temperatures. There are also some items that are cast from
porcelain, such as the small oil lamps. The glazes of these products are made
of silicates, which are formed by the fusion of various minerals at 1280° C:
Silicon, lime, feldspar, talc and kaolin. By mixing different substances, the
different colors are created. To obtain ivory, brown, black or green glazes,
iron oxide is added. For blue and violet, copper or cobalt is added. An
orange-yellow is created by adding titanium, to name just a few color examples.
In some cases, plant ash is also used for the glazes. This ash consists mainly
of minerals that the plant has absorbed from the soil during its growth. For
some of the glazes, these minerals are also artificially composed. Since the
brothers sometimes could not meet the high demand for pottery on their own,
they collaborate with some potters in the area for the first firing of the
pieces.
Practical hints for the pottery
- The glazes of the pottery from Taizé do not contain any
toxic substances (such as lead). This has been confirmed by a government
laboratory.
- All items are dishwasher safe as well as microwave safe.
- It is not advisable to put the pottery in a hot oven
(above 200°C). Strong temperature fluctuations should be avoided (thermal
shock).
Source: Taizé