Alisa og Claus Clausen on fri 17 aug 01
Dear Tony and Clayart,
Very relevant right now to work I am just finished with for this summer.
Medieval Festival pots. It a wonderful market here in town with all sorts
of medieval activities, costumes, ware and crafts. Travels around
Scandinavia. Lee, stop in Denmark when you visit
England to see some fantastic medieval pots.
I was always under the impression that a good handle is a pulled
handle, flat. Similar to my thoughts on only cone 9 was a valid. I have
sunk my cone and
have studied up on Medieval ware and some of my area's local pottery from
long ago. Like
Tony said they all have round handles. It takes a little readjusting of
what one thinks is "good" to see the beauty in another cultures tradition
and aesthetic. Pulled, flat handles on "stob" (large beer mugs with
fluted feet) do not hang together at all. Round handles, like the
originals, are what fit the pot.
As it took me a while to accept and eventually embrace cone 6, it was the
same for accepting the "new aesthetic" for a "good and proper" handle. But
now that I am copying from the
books and relics I see in some of the museums here, I can see that the
round handle
really is a good match for these pots.
We have discussed the pros and cons of both extruded and pulled handles. I
think the round handles look all right when they are rolled out for the
rustic pots. I am pretty sure I would rather have a more even extruded or
cast handle for the regular mugs, etc. I will have to try to make a press
mold. Good idea Tony.
The offer still stands from long ago mentioned doughnuts on Clayart...just
send them right here.
Best regards,
Alisa in Denmark
Tommy Humphries on fri 17 aug 01
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1240861636
This isn't a real old example of early American handles, but it is one of
the styles popular during the southern folk pottery period...not round, not
truly flat. Pulled straight from the rim.
Tommy
Sheron Roberts on fri 17 aug 01
I was taught to pull handles from a lump
of carrot shaped clay. Working from a=20
large lump I can pull several handles=20
without having to stop and wedge=20
more clay. Once the handle is pulled
to the length I need, I do a final shaping
using the space between my thumb and
first finger. Run the clay through a few
times on one side, rotate the handle,
still attached to the "carrot" and do the
other side. This makes for nice elliptical
handles, not flat and not completely round.
Once attached to the mug I might make a
little flat spot at the top for a thumb rest
depending on how the overall piece looks.
My teacher used to go down the table=20
inspecting each students handles. His
only comments would be, Ross Perot,
nice handle, Ross Perot, nice handle.
The Ross Perot's were mugs
that looked like they had ears attached.
Sheron in NC (who loves looking at other
potter's handles and how they are attached)
(to mugs and pots that is)
Ron Roy on sun 19 aug 01
Hi Gwyn - exactlly!
It is true - you have to hold a round handle tighter to keep it from wobbling.
I'm egging you on - RR
>Round handles to me..always look...to me..as a stuck on appendage and
>never seem to relate pleasantly to the pot.
>They are not as pleasant to hold as the finger bearing surface is much
>narrower and make me think of beginning beginners work...before they have
>developed a bit more skill and sharpened their 'eye'...I think the
>ergonomics comes in here somewhere.as well !!!!!!
>I have seen them on some historic pots and have wondered why ......mind
>you...back many years ago...many pots were made as quickly as possible by
>many with variable skills and experience...and were often a throwaway
>item. I think that...form follows function ...came in a bit later as
>pottery developed.
>Remember..the pot you make today could be waved in front of you in 20
>years or so.
>Good Potting GWYN in N.Z.
Ron Roy
RR# 4
15084 Little Lake Rd..
Brighton,
Ontario, Canada
KOK 1H0
Residence 613-475-9544
Studio 613-475-3715
Fax 613-475-3513
Gwyn Ace on sun 19 aug 01
Round handles to me..always look...to me..as a stuck on appendage and =
never seem to relate pleasantly to the pot.
They are not as pleasant to hold as the finger bearing surface is much =
narrower and make me think of beginning beginners work...before they =
have developed a bit more skill and sharpened their 'eye'...I think the =
ergonomics comes in here somewhere.as well !!!!!!
I have seen them on some historic pots and have wondered why ......mind =
you...back many years ago...many pots were made as quickly as possible =
by many with variable skills and experience...and were often a throwaway =
item. I think that...form follows function ...came in a bit later as =
pottery developed.
Remember..the pot you make today could be waved in front of you in 20 =
years or so.
Good Potting GWYN in N.Z.
Kathy McDonald on sun 19 aug 01
I really like the look and feel of round handles if they are well done,,,
I haven't done this for some time but I used to throw a tube and then cut
it in sections to use for mug handles. You can manipulate the end to
attach well
and they feel great to hold.
One proviso,,,they only look good on certain forms,,,,
http://www.willowtreepottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Gwyn Ace
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 5:24 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Round Handles
Round handles to me..always look...to me..as a stuck on appendage and never
seem to relate pleasantly to the pot.
They are not as pleasant to hold as the finger bearing surface is much
narrower and make me think of beginning beginners work...before they have
developed a bit more skill and sharpened their 'eye'...I think the
ergonomics comes in here somewhere.as well !!!!!!
I have seen them on some historic pots and have wondered why ......mind
you...back many years ago...many pots were made as quickly as possible by
many with variable skills and experience...and were often a throwaway item.
I think that...form follows function ...came in a bit later as pottery
developed.
Remember..the pot you make today could be waved in front of you in 20 years
or so.
Good Potting GWYN in N.Z.
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Sheron Roberts on sun 19 aug 01
I posted earlier that I made
round to elliptical handles.
When I cut a handle from the carrot of clay I
pulled it from, I leave a wedge of clay so=20
that the handle tapers from that wedge.
I attached this little base to a board with the
handle sticking up. By the time I pull
all the handles I will need (and a few
extras just in case) the first handles have
arched over nicely and dried enough to
be manipulated and attached to the mug.
I then cradle the mug on my lap, =20
cut the handle from the base, still leaving
a wider end to the handle. This wider end
is positioned on the cup in relation to=20
the space between the rim and foot, where
I think it looks best in relation to the design
and size of the mug. (My teacher told us
to use the one finger, two finger, three=20
finger, etc. method of measuring. Is this
a large enough mug to warrant a handle
that four fingers can wrap around? )
The strap or handle part is still=20
pointing "north, so to speak.
I gently pull it down and connect to the
mug near the foot. Depending on the shape
of the mug I leave room at the foot to allow
the mugs to be stacked. The wider wedge
is then smoothed into the mug, some cut
away if necessary, so that the handle now
looks like it is an integrated part of the mug,
not just stuck on. Again, the handles are=20
pulled in proportion to the mug they are=20
going on, not just little random strings of
clay.
I have seen flat ribbon like handles that=20
have nothing to do with the round mug
they are attached to. Then I have seen
flat ribbon like handles that spring from=20
the mug in one fluid ascetic movement.
But I still like my round tapered to the
end handles. I suppose it is all in how
we are taught. I can't count the number
of handles I had to pull and return to
the recycle bin as part of my learning
process. I pulled handles til my arms
ached and my teacher would say,
trash them, start over, until one day he
said attach it.
Sometimes I deliberately pull them fat,
so when leather hard I can carve designs
on them.
Who was it that said, "look at the mug
on that handle" LOL LOL
Sheron=20
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