After the pieces made with these machines are dried 

 and hardened sufficiently to retain their shape, they 

 are removed from the molds and are ready for firing 

 in the biscuit ovens, unless some decoration in clay 

 is to be added. If so, this is done while they are still 

 in the moist state, and by one of half a dozen or more 

 processes. Thus, the impression of small dies on the 

 ware is frequently made by rollers having patterns 

 cut on the edges, which form a continuous pattern 

 when pressed on the ware. Such things as figures, 

 flowers, or other raised designs are made in molds 

 and stuck in place with slip. Facsimiles of lace or 

 textile fabrics are sometimes made by dipping the 

 fabric in slip and applying it to the vessel. During 

 the firing process the fabric is burned away, leaving 

 the impression on the vessel. This process, somewhat 

 modified, is used also for reproducing leaves and other 

 objects. 



Perforations in pieces are made either with hollow 

 punches of special design, or with sharp knives. 

 Where much cutting is to be done the workman must 

 exercise great care, as each perforation naturally 

 weakens the clay. This kind of work should not be 

 confused with etching, or carving, on the clay, as such 

 work is done when the ware is fairly dry. 



Colored effects and decorations are obtained in a 

 great variety of ways before as well as after the piece 

 is fired. Before firing this is sometimes done with 

 colored clays, or by means of colored slips, or with 

 combinations of the two. These colored slips may be 

 blown through little tubes to form a great variety of 



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