Making a Fluted Agateware Jar

This video shows how to prepare marbled or agateware clay, throw a straight-walled jar, and then use a ribbon tool to add a fluting pattern that brings out the two-toned clay.
In this video, about 5 pounds of white stoneware are used along with one pound of dark brown / black clay.
The tool used in this video:
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Xiem Pro Multi-Function Tool medium size: amzn.to/3MGueGy
Make your own metal pottery rib tutorial: www.thestudiom...
Timestamps
00:12 Wedging and cutting the clay
01:09 Stacking and lightly wedging the clay
02:13 Centering and opening
03:34 Pulling the walls
04:47 Cleaning walls with a metal rib
06:10 Carving or fluting the walls with a ribbon tool
08:42 Cleaning and beveling the base
09:12 Wiring off and final results
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[@abulahab47]

I would like to see final result after trimming, glaz, burning this jar.

[@merkelhess]

I'll post a photo in the community tab when I get it glaze fired. Thanks!

[@m.jewell9107]

I'm curious as to how the design would change if you fluted upward, or alternated up and downward fluting motions. It does look like the bands of color get a bit dragged down. Have you ever bellied a piece outward after fluting? It means you'd only use one hand on the inside, but it could introduce some nice subtle distortion to the bands and fluting.

[@merkelhess]

All good points! In this video, I fluted right after throwing so the possibility of bellying out is there, but you would have to watch the thickness so as not to open holes. Many people like to do the fluting or carving in the leatherhard stage, so that would preclude changing the shape. As for up or downstrokes, I generally just cut down as that is comfortable for me. I don’t think it’s dragging the bands of darker clay, instead the fluting is exposing different thickness of clay and you see how the band varies within that thickness. But no matter what you do, it’s usually an interesting result!

[@gabriellame1815]

Thank you for sharing! I was wondering how do you choose which clay is good for this marbling? Both clay has to be the same firing temperature or other characteristics of the clays has to be the same?

[@merkelhess]

Yes, I would use clays with similar shrinkage and firing temperatures. Porcelain clays with dark stoneware’s give the most contrast.

[@toninoserratore3054]

Io questo lavoro lo fatto 12 anni, o un diploma vasaio

[@merkelhess]

That’s great to hear

[@judywang8393]

Just curious what it would like if you expand it from inside?

[@merkelhess]

That could be interesting too! It would be hard to do the fluting on a curved surface, but you can definitely do agateware with any form. Might be interesting to alter the piece after fluting as well.