Terra sigillata is a very smooth, lustrous coating of clay which
resembles a glaze and is virtually waterproof. The name means “sealed
earth” and has been used to refer to the Classical Greek Attic
black-figure and red-figure painted pottery.
These days, the name terra sigillata is used to refer to an
especially fine coating of clay applied to a ceramic piece. For
centuries the secret of making terra sigillata was lost and only in the
middle of this century was the true nature of this material, the
technique of its creation and use rediscovered. The silkiness and shine
of terra sigilatta is due to the plate like shape of the clay particles
and the use of only the smallest particles. Polishing this surface with
your hand or a soft cloth lines up all the clay ‘plates’ and gives the
surface its shine.
Most terra-sigillatas are made by a process of levigation in water
which allows the larger particles to settle to the bottom, leaving the
very finest, sub micron sized particles in suspension. These very fine
particles are siphoned off and become the terra-sigillata.
This item comes in a pint only.