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Soup Tureen and Ladle: Attaching the Blanks Creating a Soup Tureen and Ladle, Part 3 of 4 From "Throwing Clay" episode DTHC-212

Master potter Bill Van Gilder is making a soup tureen and handle. So far, he's thrown a large bowl with a gallery at the rim for the lid. He threw a shallow bowl for the lid and a small cup for the ladle. When the pieces were leather hard, they were trimmed and burnished. Next, he pulled three handle blanks and set them aside for a few minutes to let the clay become slightly stiff. Now he's ready to attach the blanks.

1. The handles for the tureen are cut to identical length. Before the handles are put on the tureen, the tureen is placed on a banding wheel; working closer to eye level makes it easier to see whether the handles are even (figure A).

2. Bill dampens the handle areas on the tureen to create a sticky surface. He aligns the top of the handle with the previously scored guide marks and bends the ends into the tureen wall before pressing them in place with his thumb. He supports the tureen with his other hand as he works (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

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3. To ensure handle symmentry, he goes back and forth between the two handles, working carefully to match the look of both pieces.

4. To further secure the handles, he uses a piece of porous dowel rod to firmly press the handle ends against the tureen (figure C).

5. Finally, he wets his thumb and shapes the handle edges. When the handles are in place, Bill uses the dowel rod to gently lift the profile of the handles (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

6. Before putting the strap handle on the lid, he dampens the area where he'll attach the handle ends. After cutting the handle to length, with clean fingertips he bends and attaches the handle to the lid (figure E).

7. Again, he uses the section of dowel rod, rocking it back and forth along the edges of the handle to smooth and secure the handle to the lid (figure F).

8. Next, he checks the interior curve of the strap, making sure his fingers fit comfortably in the space.

9. A damp sponge is used to soften the edges of the handle where they connect to the lid.

10. The last step in finishing the lid is to cut an alcove for the ladle handle. Bill selects a cookie cutter that will make a slightly larger opening than the ladle handle. He lines up the opening 45 degrees from the lid handle for a neat look. While supporting the lid from underneath with his fingertips, he pushes the cookie cutter through the wall of the clay (figure G).

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