This series of photo's shows how a medium sized bowl is turned after throwing. The clay used is our fine white stoneware. A 2kg lump of clay is thrown into a bowl with the emphasis being on shaping and refining the inner surface and rim. After throwing the bottom of the pot is trimmed to ensure that the bottom is tidy and square to the wheel head.

The thrown pot is placed right way up on the wheel head. The width of the inside base and the top rim are measured and the width of the wall from rim to base is assessed and the amount of clay that can be removed is determined.

A 14 inch bat is now placed on the wheel head and held in place with a split pin and lugs. A pencil line is etched on the revolving bat to make a circumference slightly larger than the pot's rim diameter. The bat is damped down in this area and the bowl centered to this line. The wheel head is then spun and the bowl centered further.

The foot diameter measurement is transferred to the base and the foot rim diameter defined. Much of the clay in the base of the pot is removed and the final overall shape starts to emerge.

Further turning with the flat end of the turning tool clarifies the outside shape of the bowl. The inside of the foot is turned-away to define the foot rim and thin the base of the pot. The turning of the walls runs down to the rim and the final rim flare is also refined at this stage. It is important to get a smooth, even outer surface so that the decoration will not be muddled by turning rings.

The walls of the pot are further refined using a metal kidney and the curve of the wall made continuous from top to bottom. The foot rim is tightened up and the outer wall of the foot rim cut back a bit to 'lift the pot'. The walls are then compressed and burnished with the kidney tool and the maker's stamps applied.

The finished bowl is now half the weight it was and is placed to one side to dry before firing.