How can you tell clay pottery?

The base of a piece of pottery also reveals the type of clay. Even if there is no mark identifying this, the color or texture of the unfinished base can reveal the type of clay that was used.

How old is clay pottery?

It has been hypothesized that pottery was developed only after humans established agriculture, which led to permanent settlements. However, the oldest known pottery is from China and dates to 20,000 BC, at the height of the ice age, long before the beginnings of agriculture.

How do I find my pottery marks?

Pottery and porcelain marks are often very visible, you simply need to look on the bottom or back of a piece to locate them. The most important tool with which the collector learns these details, is the mark found on the bottom of most ceramic and pottery.

Where is clay found?

Clay comes from the ground, usually in areas where streams or rivers once flowed. It is made from minerals, plant life, and animals—all the ingredients of soil. Over time, water pressure breaks up the remains of flora, fauna, and minerals, pulverising them into fine particles.