Attic Manufacturing in the ancient Greek World

Ceramic production in Athens was concentrated in the northwest corner of the city, the Kerameikos. Here artisans turned out architectural decorations, roof tiles, figurines, and even large sculptures, as well as fine and coarse-ware pottery. There is little evidence for mass production methods, although two painters could collaborate on a single large pot and certain potters specialized in creating particular shapes. Most pots were thrown on a manually driven potter's wheel. Large pots were made in several sections, and handles were added separately. Greek kilns were wood-fired. By controlling the oxygen flow the color of the clay pot and its glaze could be changed from red to black: an oxidizing or well-ventilated atmosphere produces red, a reducing or smoke-filled atmosphere, gray or black. Economy, (Univ. Penn.) Attic (pottery)Black Figure and Red Figure Manufacturing