Manufacture

Techniques

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Molds

       The use of moulds for the production of ceramics has been practiced in Latin America for at least the last 3000 years. This method has been used through much of Central and South America. Objects that can be produced using this method range from figurines, a variety of vessels and decorative pieces. The size of these ceramics is dependent on the size of the moulds.  

       Before one can produce ceramics from a mould one must create that mould. The general process of creating these early moulds is not known but it is believed that they were created by pressing clay around a pre-existing vessel and then dividing it into two halves. These two halves are then removed as it begins to dry. One can also produce moulds from such things as corn and shells. Here are a variety of moulds used today in southern Peru.

    Types of Molds

       Two types of moulds have been used in Latin America, the two piece mould and the one piece mould. The two piece mould is the most widely used of these to methods. It is the simpliest method to use as well because it enables the two halves of an object to be joined while still in their moulds. This makes it easier to both fix and smooth seams without warping the vessel. With this type of mould one can create ceramics which have different designs on each side.

       With a one piece mould the side would have to be removed from the mould to be joined. This makes the seams difficult to make and they usually appear crude and sloppy. With this type of mould all ceramics will have an identical design on each of the two halves.

    Using a Mold        

       The process of creating a ceramic piece is rather easy, instead of pouring a liquid clay slip into the mould, one only has to press moist clay into the moulds. As the clay dries it will shrink away from the inside of the mould and can be easily removed. This process makes it very easy to mass produce ceramics in a very limited time. These pieces can sometimes be recognized by a vertical crack which appears along the seam of these types of ceramics.