| EMMA BRIDGEWATER
Emma Bridgewater's distinctive pottery is made from an earthenware mix that is a variant on Josiah Wedgwood's 18th century recipe for creamware.
The clay arrives at the factory in solid form, but is mixed with water and sieved until it becomes a smooth slip which is then poured into plaster moulds.
When the time is judged right, the excess slip is drained from the moulds and collected for re-use. The moulds are opened to reveal the 'green' cast shape inside. They are then sponge fettled (any moulds marks removed) and dried in preparation for biscuit firing.
Once a pot has been biscuit fired it either goes to the spongeware department wher it will be hand sponged before glazing, or it goes straight to the glazing department where it is glazed and refired before one of the litho patterns is hand applied. These litho decorated pots are then fired for a third time. The only pots which are not slip cast are bowl and plate shapes, which are individually formed on hand operated machines of considerable antiquity!
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