Soft Slab Canopic Jars

Canopic Jars are a great cross curricular lesson for students to learn about soft slab vessels and Egyptian art and customs as well, and a literary reference of symbolism.

For Canopic jars, I show students how to create soft slab vessels. The vessels will have lids. This is the lesson where I show students how to create lids with flanges, or what I call keyholes to keep the lid on. I also teach them the history and purpose of Canopic jars from Egypt. The students will look at symbolism of animals. I want them to choose an animal that might have attributes that they posses as well.

The animals on the lids can be made from pinch pots to start with ( reminding the students that there has to be a way for air to escape from the pinch pot).

Drape Mold Vessels with Sgraffito Decoration

In Ceramics 1 I try to teach the basic methods of handbuilding; pinch, coil, slab (soft and stiff), and molds. To make drape mold vessels, we use a plaster mold to create 2 halves, then put them together. The students' vessels need a foot, lip and a pulled handle. The decorative technique used on these pots is a sgraffito. Sgraffito is scratching through slip or underglaze to create a design. The students are graded on creativity, craftsmanship, use of materials, and effort. The students participate in a peer critique for these projects.

(sorry the pics are a little washed out!)