A bowl is perhaps the most common form in functional ceramics. It comes in all shapes and sizes, from a cup to a sink, but the theory behind its form remains the same: it is practical and ergonomic, an open vessel and a functional container. Some of my favourite pots are housed in the British Museum’s Korean Collection. Although they are 2,000 years old, they use exactly the same principles and tools as we do today. Technology has moved on light years since then, but only the addition of a motor to a wheel has changed the technique. Those finely thrown bowls have seen generations come and go, yet still have the same strength and resonance today as they did when they first came out of the kiln. It’s worth having a good think about what it is you want to make before you get started, as the design of your form will alter your starting position. I like to throw thin, delicate tableware, and the following method is an example of how to get the most from your clay. If you want to make something with a little more robustness, strength or weight, I suggest you try to make a thin bowl first so you see where it needs strength and weight for balance. Then increase the weight of clay you use without increasing the scale of the bowl. This way, you will truly understand the form and make considered choices.
