Ceramics and pottery are the general terms for objects made from clay that has been shaped and hardened by firing in a kiln. The field divides broadly into earthenware, which is porous and fired at relatively low temperatures; stoneware, which is fired at higher temperatures until dense and watertight; and porcelain, which is white, hard and often translucent.
Ceramics are among the oldest of the decorative arts and include an immense variety of wares, from ancient Greek vases and Chinese porcelain to Delftware, English creamware, Staffordshire figures, Victorian majolica and twentieth-century studio pottery. Decoration may be painted, printed, moulded, incised or applied, and glazes range from simple lead and salt glazes to coloured, lustre and crackled effects. Many European and British makers used factory marks, which help with identification and dating, although marks were sometimes copied. Collectors consider the maker, period, rarity, quality of decoration and above all condition, since chips, cracks, crazing, wear and restoration significantly affect value. Holding a piece up to the light and running a finger gently around rims can reveal hidden damage. Ceramics display beautifully on dressers, shelves and walls, and a collection can be built at almost any budget.
