slab project asian lantern or tea pot beginning ceramics author: christine burris

Slab ProjectAsian Lantern or Tea Pot

Beginning CeramicsAuthor: Christine Burris

Asian Lantern Requirements• If you are going to create an Asian lantern for your slab project the

requirements are: • At least 10“ tall by 5” wide in total size. • The edges, walls and seams should be even and flat, no wrinkles in

the clay.• Have a handle/finial on the roof.• Be made of slabs.• Glazed finish. Clean edges on the bottom of the lid and top of box.• Name and Period on the bottom.

Tea pot Requirements

If You are going to assemble your stiff slab container into a tea pot.

It should be at least 6” tall by 6” wide in the body.

Smooth FinishSharp Crisp CornersFitted Indexed LidFunctional spoutSculpted Handle on LidGlazed completelyName and Period on bottom.

Use a wire cutter to make even slabs.

Either use the templates to cut you slabs….

Or:   Use a ruler to help you cut a straight line. (Tip: If  you want a 90` corner - lay a piece of paper over the clay to show the 90' corner.)

• When your clay is leather hard use a needle or sharp pencil to score the edges of the clay where the clay will be joined together. 

  Apply slip to the areas you just scored.

When placing the edges together slide the two surfaces together in a slight back and forth motion to strengthen the bond between the surfaces.

*With experience you will get the feel of a good bond.  You will know you have a good bond when most of the slip has squeezed out between the two surfaces being joined together.  Also, the clay will not want to slide back and forth easily.

Sometimes curved walls can be complicated to slip together and need

to be assembled on their sides .

• To make the seem stronger place a coil in the corners of the piece.  Gently press the coil into the corner.  Be careful not to break your corner away.

Use a damp brush to smooth out all the corners so the seams are no longer visible.

Assemble the final project and fine tune the details.

"Nut Teapot," 2005Slab-built ceramic with bronze glaze7" high x 12" wide This teapot was made as a commenton the industrialization of the home.

Yixing Traditional Square Teapot

Length: 7"  Width: 5" Height: 7"

Square teapot with curved rattan handle, black matte glaze outside and shiny crackle grazed teal lid.. 9”h.