Slip Trailing Through Centuries!

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We're always fascinated by the long history of ceramics and how it tells us the story of mankind. The evolution of slip trailing right up to today is an example of how, as much as things change, we are still connected to our ancestors.

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A Brief History of Slip Trailing

Five thousand years before Cheyenne Mallo started slip trailing topographical maps of her beloved Catskill Mountains, mankind was recording what they found interesting using the same techniques.

The use of slip as a decorative technique has been known from the earliest times. Barbotine, a French word for ceramic slip, is the common term used in archaeology. It appears to have originated in the Far East, where fragments of red-slipped pottery, thought to be 5000 years old, have been found in Japan. In the West, examples of white slip decoration date from 2000 B.C., in the Minoan culture on the island of Crete. Greek potters perfected the technique several centuries later in their black figure and red figure vessels.

Since the Middle Ages, a broad range of slip-decorated pottery has been made in an unbroken tradition across Europe. In the 15th century, Italian potters made white-slipped dishes of red clay, incised with various patterns. Brushstrokes of iron, copper, cobalt, and manganese were added.

Spain and France developed a slipware tradition in the 16th century. German and Dutch potters were using varieties of the technique in the early 1600s.

By the mid-1600s, slipware manufacturing was well established in many centers in England. The oldest of the English folk pottery traditions, slipware shows the freedom of expression and imagination.

Thomas Toft was the most important Staffordshire slipware potter. His pieces, which date to the last quarter of the 17th century, included elaborate presentation dishes that were made for display purposes only.

The tradition continued in the New World, especially among the Pennsylvania Dutch in the early years of our new democracy.

Kristen Kieffer: Contemporary Slip Trailer

There are many ceramicists today using the age-old technique of slip trailing in their work. Kristen Kieffer, a full-time studio potter, workshop presenter, and ceramics instructor based out of Massachusetts, is one of them. We caught up with Kristen for a blog post about her slip trailing techniques on her beautiful, feminine forms.

Slip Trailing with Kristen Kieffer

21st Century Slip Trailing Tools!

The early slip trailers had to create their own tools using reeds and quills attached to a handmade small cup made of clay, leather, or fabric. We've come a long way!

Xiem Precision Applicator 3 with 4 Tips

A 3 oz. soft rubber bulb comes with 4 interchangeable tips in different sizes. Tips and bulbs also sold separately.

Bailey Hurricane Bulb

A simple rubber bulb with many uses: blow air to remove trimmings, fill with slip or glaze for slip trailing or applying glaze..

Xiem Customizable Applicator Kit

Complete with four sizes of soft plastic bottles, connectors, caps, four metal tips, and four plastic tips.

Kemper Slip Trailing Bottle

A soft plastic 4 oz bottle with 2 spouts: one round and one ribbon-shaped for a variety of decorating possibilities.

Slip Trailers are 5% OFF their already discounted prices!

No code needed. Offer is good until February 11, 2021.

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Bailey Bucks in Your Account!

$5.00 OFF or $10.00 OFF your next order!

Everyone likes a few extra bucks in their Bailey account for their next purchase!

Spend $50 by Thursday and you will have a $5 coupon attached to your account toward your next order. Spend $100 and you will get a $10 coupon! Amount spent is calculated after discounts are applied and before shipping charges are added. Offer good for new orders only.

Use code 2021$$ in the comment field online or mention it to our sales staff when ordering by phone.

Offer expires at midnight, Thursday, February 11, 2021.