What is the difference between terracotta and earthenware?












3














My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked, such as the Terracotta Warriors of China. But earthenware and pottery both refer to baked clay, so how are these different? And does the following mean the same?




Terracotta pot



Earthenware pot











share|improve this question




















  • 1




    "My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
    – T.J. Crowder
    Nov 19 at 8:03
















3














My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked, such as the Terracotta Warriors of China. But earthenware and pottery both refer to baked clay, so how are these different? And does the following mean the same?




Terracotta pot



Earthenware pot











share|improve this question




















  • 1




    "My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
    – T.J. Crowder
    Nov 19 at 8:03














3












3








3







My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked, such as the Terracotta Warriors of China. But earthenware and pottery both refer to baked clay, so how are these different? And does the following mean the same?




Terracotta pot



Earthenware pot











share|improve this question















My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked, such as the Terracotta Warriors of China. But earthenware and pottery both refer to baked clay, so how are these different? And does the following mean the same?




Terracotta pot



Earthenware pot








difference






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Nov 20 at 12:02

























asked Nov 18 at 12:35









Sara

1,91621339




1,91621339








  • 1




    "My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
    – T.J. Crowder
    Nov 19 at 8:03














  • 1




    "My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
    – T.J. Crowder
    Nov 19 at 8:03








1




1




"My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
– T.J. Crowder
Nov 19 at 8:03




"My understanding is that terracotta is clay made into a figure then baked..." Not necessarily made into a figure. Terracotta is used for all sorts of non-sculpture applications.
– T.J. Crowder
Nov 19 at 8:03










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















8














To make clay into pottery it is fired. Different clays contain a different mix of minerals. When it is heated to about 1000 °C, some of these minerals partially melt, and cause the clay to turn into a ceramic.



There is a limit to how hot you can heat the clay. If you make it too hot, the clay will melt, and sag in the kiln. In extreme cases the clay can melt completely and the pot will become a puddle (You then have a big job scraping melt off the kiln floor.)



Some clays can survive higher temperatures. These can be heated to 1200 °C or even higher without sagging. At these temperatures the clay particles bond together to become waterproof. This is called "stoneware". A particular type is "Porcelain" that has a large amount of kaolin clay. Porcelain is especially strong, so it can be made very thin.



Most clay can't be heated this much, and is heated to 950-1150 °C. At these temperatures the clay particles are bound less tightly together and the fired body can absorb water. This is called "Earthenware". Earthenware may be white, grey or red and it is often glazed to make it waterproof.



Terracotta is one type of earthenware. It is an iron rich earthenware (and so a rusty red colour) that is often left unglazed so that it can absorb water. It is used for a range of applications. Plant pots, flooring and roofing tiles and storage jars, but not usually for plates, cups or other crockery.



So Earthenware refers to the type of clay, and terracotta is a type of earthenware.






share|improve this answer































    6














    Earthenware is a general term for a material made by baking clay, sometimes together with other minerals, and for items made from that type of material, e.g. tableware. Terracotta is, in general usage, a particular type of earthenware. The relationship (or "difference") between them is like those between "vehicle" and "bus", or "metal" and "iron", or "nation" and "Japan".



    Terracotta is not just used for making figures; many useful articles are made from it, including plant pots, tiles and water pipes. The word also has a number of specialised meanings in art, archaeology, etc.



    Earthenware (Oxford Dictionaries)
    Earthenware (Wikipedia)
    Terracotta (Oxford Dictionaries)
    Terracotta (Wikipedia)






    share|improve this answer































      4














      The definitions are taken from the Collins Dictionary:




      Terra-cotta is a hard, brown-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for pottery, sculpture, etc.



      Earthenware bowls, pots, or other objects are made of clay that is
      baked so that it becomes hard.




      Terra-cotta pots:



      enter image description here



      Earthenware pots (just a couple of examples):



      enter image description hereenter image description here



      So, terra-cotta stuff is usually unglazed. Also, terra-cotta refers to the color (see the picture of the pots above). Earthenware doesn't refer to that color, earthenware can be any color, basically.






      share|improve this answer























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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        active

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        active

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        8














        To make clay into pottery it is fired. Different clays contain a different mix of minerals. When it is heated to about 1000 °C, some of these minerals partially melt, and cause the clay to turn into a ceramic.



        There is a limit to how hot you can heat the clay. If you make it too hot, the clay will melt, and sag in the kiln. In extreme cases the clay can melt completely and the pot will become a puddle (You then have a big job scraping melt off the kiln floor.)



        Some clays can survive higher temperatures. These can be heated to 1200 °C or even higher without sagging. At these temperatures the clay particles bond together to become waterproof. This is called "stoneware". A particular type is "Porcelain" that has a large amount of kaolin clay. Porcelain is especially strong, so it can be made very thin.



        Most clay can't be heated this much, and is heated to 950-1150 °C. At these temperatures the clay particles are bound less tightly together and the fired body can absorb water. This is called "Earthenware". Earthenware may be white, grey or red and it is often glazed to make it waterproof.



        Terracotta is one type of earthenware. It is an iron rich earthenware (and so a rusty red colour) that is often left unglazed so that it can absorb water. It is used for a range of applications. Plant pots, flooring and roofing tiles and storage jars, but not usually for plates, cups or other crockery.



        So Earthenware refers to the type of clay, and terracotta is a type of earthenware.






        share|improve this answer




























          8














          To make clay into pottery it is fired. Different clays contain a different mix of minerals. When it is heated to about 1000 °C, some of these minerals partially melt, and cause the clay to turn into a ceramic.



          There is a limit to how hot you can heat the clay. If you make it too hot, the clay will melt, and sag in the kiln. In extreme cases the clay can melt completely and the pot will become a puddle (You then have a big job scraping melt off the kiln floor.)



          Some clays can survive higher temperatures. These can be heated to 1200 °C or even higher without sagging. At these temperatures the clay particles bond together to become waterproof. This is called "stoneware". A particular type is "Porcelain" that has a large amount of kaolin clay. Porcelain is especially strong, so it can be made very thin.



          Most clay can't be heated this much, and is heated to 950-1150 °C. At these temperatures the clay particles are bound less tightly together and the fired body can absorb water. This is called "Earthenware". Earthenware may be white, grey or red and it is often glazed to make it waterproof.



          Terracotta is one type of earthenware. It is an iron rich earthenware (and so a rusty red colour) that is often left unglazed so that it can absorb water. It is used for a range of applications. Plant pots, flooring and roofing tiles and storage jars, but not usually for plates, cups or other crockery.



          So Earthenware refers to the type of clay, and terracotta is a type of earthenware.






          share|improve this answer


























            8












            8








            8






            To make clay into pottery it is fired. Different clays contain a different mix of minerals. When it is heated to about 1000 °C, some of these minerals partially melt, and cause the clay to turn into a ceramic.



            There is a limit to how hot you can heat the clay. If you make it too hot, the clay will melt, and sag in the kiln. In extreme cases the clay can melt completely and the pot will become a puddle (You then have a big job scraping melt off the kiln floor.)



            Some clays can survive higher temperatures. These can be heated to 1200 °C or even higher without sagging. At these temperatures the clay particles bond together to become waterproof. This is called "stoneware". A particular type is "Porcelain" that has a large amount of kaolin clay. Porcelain is especially strong, so it can be made very thin.



            Most clay can't be heated this much, and is heated to 950-1150 °C. At these temperatures the clay particles are bound less tightly together and the fired body can absorb water. This is called "Earthenware". Earthenware may be white, grey or red and it is often glazed to make it waterproof.



            Terracotta is one type of earthenware. It is an iron rich earthenware (and so a rusty red colour) that is often left unglazed so that it can absorb water. It is used for a range of applications. Plant pots, flooring and roofing tiles and storage jars, but not usually for plates, cups or other crockery.



            So Earthenware refers to the type of clay, and terracotta is a type of earthenware.






            share|improve this answer














            To make clay into pottery it is fired. Different clays contain a different mix of minerals. When it is heated to about 1000 °C, some of these minerals partially melt, and cause the clay to turn into a ceramic.



            There is a limit to how hot you can heat the clay. If you make it too hot, the clay will melt, and sag in the kiln. In extreme cases the clay can melt completely and the pot will become a puddle (You then have a big job scraping melt off the kiln floor.)



            Some clays can survive higher temperatures. These can be heated to 1200 °C or even higher without sagging. At these temperatures the clay particles bond together to become waterproof. This is called "stoneware". A particular type is "Porcelain" that has a large amount of kaolin clay. Porcelain is especially strong, so it can be made very thin.



            Most clay can't be heated this much, and is heated to 950-1150 °C. At these temperatures the clay particles are bound less tightly together and the fired body can absorb water. This is called "Earthenware". Earthenware may be white, grey or red and it is often glazed to make it waterproof.



            Terracotta is one type of earthenware. It is an iron rich earthenware (and so a rusty red colour) that is often left unglazed so that it can absorb water. It is used for a range of applications. Plant pots, flooring and roofing tiles and storage jars, but not usually for plates, cups or other crockery.



            So Earthenware refers to the type of clay, and terracotta is a type of earthenware.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Nov 19 at 16:26









            Joe Lee-Moyet

            1032




            1032










            answered Nov 18 at 16:33









            James K

            33.7k13786




            33.7k13786

























                6














                Earthenware is a general term for a material made by baking clay, sometimes together with other minerals, and for items made from that type of material, e.g. tableware. Terracotta is, in general usage, a particular type of earthenware. The relationship (or "difference") between them is like those between "vehicle" and "bus", or "metal" and "iron", or "nation" and "Japan".



                Terracotta is not just used for making figures; many useful articles are made from it, including plant pots, tiles and water pipes. The word also has a number of specialised meanings in art, archaeology, etc.



                Earthenware (Oxford Dictionaries)
                Earthenware (Wikipedia)
                Terracotta (Oxford Dictionaries)
                Terracotta (Wikipedia)






                share|improve this answer




























                  6














                  Earthenware is a general term for a material made by baking clay, sometimes together with other minerals, and for items made from that type of material, e.g. tableware. Terracotta is, in general usage, a particular type of earthenware. The relationship (or "difference") between them is like those between "vehicle" and "bus", or "metal" and "iron", or "nation" and "Japan".



                  Terracotta is not just used for making figures; many useful articles are made from it, including plant pots, tiles and water pipes. The word also has a number of specialised meanings in art, archaeology, etc.



                  Earthenware (Oxford Dictionaries)
                  Earthenware (Wikipedia)
                  Terracotta (Oxford Dictionaries)
                  Terracotta (Wikipedia)






                  share|improve this answer


























                    6












                    6








                    6






                    Earthenware is a general term for a material made by baking clay, sometimes together with other minerals, and for items made from that type of material, e.g. tableware. Terracotta is, in general usage, a particular type of earthenware. The relationship (or "difference") between them is like those between "vehicle" and "bus", or "metal" and "iron", or "nation" and "Japan".



                    Terracotta is not just used for making figures; many useful articles are made from it, including plant pots, tiles and water pipes. The word also has a number of specialised meanings in art, archaeology, etc.



                    Earthenware (Oxford Dictionaries)
                    Earthenware (Wikipedia)
                    Terracotta (Oxford Dictionaries)
                    Terracotta (Wikipedia)






                    share|improve this answer














                    Earthenware is a general term for a material made by baking clay, sometimes together with other minerals, and for items made from that type of material, e.g. tableware. Terracotta is, in general usage, a particular type of earthenware. The relationship (or "difference") between them is like those between "vehicle" and "bus", or "metal" and "iron", or "nation" and "Japan".



                    Terracotta is not just used for making figures; many useful articles are made from it, including plant pots, tiles and water pipes. The word also has a number of specialised meanings in art, archaeology, etc.



                    Earthenware (Oxford Dictionaries)
                    Earthenware (Wikipedia)
                    Terracotta (Oxford Dictionaries)
                    Terracotta (Wikipedia)







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Nov 18 at 22:39

























                    answered Nov 18 at 13:06









                    Michael Harvey

                    12.4k11228




                    12.4k11228























                        4














                        The definitions are taken from the Collins Dictionary:




                        Terra-cotta is a hard, brown-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for pottery, sculpture, etc.



                        Earthenware bowls, pots, or other objects are made of clay that is
                        baked so that it becomes hard.




                        Terra-cotta pots:



                        enter image description here



                        Earthenware pots (just a couple of examples):



                        enter image description hereenter image description here



                        So, terra-cotta stuff is usually unglazed. Also, terra-cotta refers to the color (see the picture of the pots above). Earthenware doesn't refer to that color, earthenware can be any color, basically.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          4














                          The definitions are taken from the Collins Dictionary:




                          Terra-cotta is a hard, brown-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for pottery, sculpture, etc.



                          Earthenware bowls, pots, or other objects are made of clay that is
                          baked so that it becomes hard.




                          Terra-cotta pots:



                          enter image description here



                          Earthenware pots (just a couple of examples):



                          enter image description hereenter image description here



                          So, terra-cotta stuff is usually unglazed. Also, terra-cotta refers to the color (see the picture of the pots above). Earthenware doesn't refer to that color, earthenware can be any color, basically.






                          share|improve this answer


























                            4












                            4








                            4






                            The definitions are taken from the Collins Dictionary:




                            Terra-cotta is a hard, brown-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for pottery, sculpture, etc.



                            Earthenware bowls, pots, or other objects are made of clay that is
                            baked so that it becomes hard.




                            Terra-cotta pots:



                            enter image description here



                            Earthenware pots (just a couple of examples):



                            enter image description hereenter image description here



                            So, terra-cotta stuff is usually unglazed. Also, terra-cotta refers to the color (see the picture of the pots above). Earthenware doesn't refer to that color, earthenware can be any color, basically.






                            share|improve this answer














                            The definitions are taken from the Collins Dictionary:




                            Terra-cotta is a hard, brown-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for pottery, sculpture, etc.



                            Earthenware bowls, pots, or other objects are made of clay that is
                            baked so that it becomes hard.




                            Terra-cotta pots:



                            enter image description here



                            Earthenware pots (just a couple of examples):



                            enter image description hereenter image description here



                            So, terra-cotta stuff is usually unglazed. Also, terra-cotta refers to the color (see the picture of the pots above). Earthenware doesn't refer to that color, earthenware can be any color, basically.







                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited Nov 18 at 13:12

























                            answered Nov 18 at 13:06









                            Enguroo

                            2,879224




                            2,879224






























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