A Complete Guide To Everything Terracotta And How To Make Terracotta Lamps
Terracotta, which means “baked clay,” is a material that has been used for centuries. It has been used for many types of art and design to create a variety of products. Known for its natural warmth and earthy colours, Terracotta is used to create everything related to lighting, such as lamps. Terracotta lamps are considered the perfect accessory for stylish home decor and are used in most homes. These lamps add a unique and attractive touch to the home, so they can be used perfectly.
What Is Terracotta?
Before getting to the Terracotta Lamps, it is important to understand what Terracotta is. It is made of coarse, porous clay, and various types of products are made from it. After shaping the product, the dried clay is baked in a kiln over a combustible material. After this, a glaze is applied to the product, which gives it a red colour. This feature makes Terracotta perfect for making ceiling, table, and wall lamps. Terracotta is being used everywhere because it remains popular due to its eco-friendly properties and aesthetic appeal.
How Terracotta Lamps Are Made: A Step-By-Step Guide
After understanding Terracotta, it is important to understand the process of making a terracotta lamp. Here is a step-by-step guide that will show you how to make a terracotta lamp –
Select And Prepare The Clay
To make a Handmade Clay Hanging Lamp, first of all, it is necessary to choose the right clay that is fine, natural and free from impurities. After selecting the clay, it should be used to get a consistent texture, and water can also be added to it.
Shaping The Lamp
After this, the clay is shaped into the lamp, but there are many ways to shape it, like Hand-building, Wheel-throwing, and Molding. Using these three methods, you can shape the lamp in whichever way you find suitable. The lamp holder is also made in this stage and is carefully designed by the craftsmen.
Drying The Lamp
After the lamp is shaped, it is dried to remove any moisture; this is done very carefully so that the clay does not crack. The lamp is left in a cool, dry place to allow the clay to harden, after which it needs to be fired again.
Bisque Firing
Bisque firing is a separate step in which the lamp is placed in a kiln and heated to room temperature. This process hardens the clay and removes moisture. Bisque firing transforms the lamp into a durable form, after which it is left to cool.
Glazing And Decorating
Once the lamp has cooled, it is then placed to be glazed, which gives the Handmade Terracotta Lamp a smooth finish. Glazes include glossy, matte and coloured glazes that are applied depending on the aesthetic desired.
Glaze Firing
After glazing, the lamp is fired again, a process called glaze firing. The furnace is heated to a high temperature to melt the glaze, giving the glaze a shiny finish.
Conclusion
The History of Terracotta Lamps have always been very popular, and now you know what Terracotta is and how to make these lamps. Flicker Shine has a great collection of Handcrafted Terracotta Lamps, including Ceiling Lamps, Table Lamps and Wall lamps. You can consider our lamps to decorate your home and add a unique touch.
