Slipware

A general term for wares decorated predominantly with one or more clay slips of greater or lesser iron content than the body clay. The slip clays fire to a contrasting color or shade from that of the body. Slipware can be decorated by pouring, dipping, painting, daubing or trailing slips on to the unfired, or sometimes once-fired, body. After it is applied, the slip can be manipulated by twisting the piece, by combing or feathering the slip into more regular designs or, after drying to a tacky consistency, can be carved in the sgraffito technique. Dipping, trailing, and marbling are other common techniques used for slip-decorated ceramics. The application of slip almost always precedes glazing.