Ceramic History

Ceramics are perhaps the most ubiquitous of all art forms to have emerged from human history. The oldest known ceramic figurine, Venus of Dolní Věstonice, traces back to the Czech Republic in 29,000–25,000 B.C., during the Upper Paleolithic period, and a 2012 study published in the journal Science confirmed that the earliest known ceramic pots, found in Xianrendong Cave in China’s Jiangxi Province, were made during the height of the Ice Age. That means they predated the emergence of agriculture in the Neolithic period by some 10,000 years—a development that scientists previously believed had led to the creation of fired clay vessels for cooking and storing food. Ceramics—in the form of bricks, tiles, vessels, and sculptures—have endured for millennia, and the medium continues to be explored today.

(fragment from ARTSY EDITORIALBY ALEXIS CORRAL)

Materials

We can easy define 4 different group of materials, all depending on the minerals who compose the mixture

Red Clay, or Clay in general
Porcelain
Stoneware
Refractary
Gres

Shapes

Many ways to shape the pieces, more common are Throwning
Hand Modelling
Cast
Coiling clay with a slab roller

Raku ware (楽焼 raku-yaki^?) 

Is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, most often in the form of chawan tea bowls. It is traditionally characterised by being hand-shaped rather than thrown; fairly porous vessels, which result from low firing temperatures; lead glazes; and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot. In the traditional Japanese process, the fired raku piece is removed from the hot kiln and is allowed to cool in the open air. The familiar technique of placing the ware in a container filled with combustible material is not a traditional Raku practice. Raku techniques have been modified by contemporary potters worldwide until now.

Paper-ceramic Engraving, xylographic matrix stamped on Paper-porcelain clay. The reliefs are made by the wood engraving, finished with incrustations of stoneware; different colors with the technique of "neriage". All faired in the kiln at 1300ºC

Porcelain, done eveN by casT or hand modeling, normally first fair at 1200 ºC, then 800 ºC for the glaze and extra 800 ºC for the metal glaze

Many different effect, like
Oxides
Glaze
Pigments
Egyptian paste…