Unglazed Rims and Exteriors

[Tom Humphries]

Hi Folks,

I just wanted to get your thoughts on this subject. I've noticed a few potters recently making mugs with unglazed rims. I'm not sure I'd like the feel of drinking from them, but it did occur to me they might be less likely to get chipped during rough handling. But perhaps it wouldn't make much difference? Clay can get chipped without any glaze on obviously...

Also I've seen plates and bowls that have the inside glazed, and the rim and exterior unglazed. I made a few unfooted bowls in this style in the past and wasn't happy with the way the underside grinded against the glazed insides when bowls were stacked. I guess footed bowls wouldn't have such a problem.

I remember reading about the strength of pots being compromised when only glazed on one side, but I think this was when reading about raw glaze and once firing, which I don't currently do.

Does any have any ideas on durability or other thoughts on this topic?

Thanks,

Tom

[Joseph Fireborn]

I have many cups that are not glazed on the rim or have any glaze at all besides the ash from the wood firing. I bought all these pots on purpose. Some of them even have rougher edges(but nothing dangerous) that most would find odd to drink from. I love them. They are my favorite cups! Why? Because I am reminded of them every time I take a drink. I experience the cup and the drink each time I put it on my lip. To me, that is the special part about it. I am reminded of what I am doing because of that pot and the lip. It isn't just a passive action that happens.

I realize this probably isn't important to most people and a lot of people probably don't like it at all, but to me it is special.

I have a yunomi by Akira Satake that is expensive. It has a glazed inside and over the rim, the outside of the cup wasn't glazed completely. It used to be my favorite cup to use. Now I have a much cheaper cup from Chris Kelly and it has this gritty surface around the lip and it is my go-to cup. 

I love the way it makes me feel so much I have started trying to incorporate it into my work. I am going to start doing things like glazing some of my lip and not glazing the other part. I want the customer to slowly have this happen as they drink from my work. Of course, all my work will be much rougher in texture than it has been in the past. 

I am not sure if this is why people are doing the unglazed rims or not, but I just thought I would explain why I love it. Not sure if this helps you or not, but perspective can be everything.

For example here is some of my new work, I just pulled this image from my instagram, so that is why it is in black and white: but just an idea of what I am going for surface wise nowadays: