Aimlowy pottery

=Aimlowy pottery=
Pottery is one of the fundamental forms of art in Aimlowy culture.
Its popularity resides in the river and sea coast's clay rich soil and in the vital importance that is given to water in the Aimlowy religion. This has contributed to a large variety of urns, bowls, vases and containers that combine every day use with art.
==Materials==
The Aimlowy collect clay ('oleewi') in large quantities from the river banks and the coast. The collected material is washed several times to remove dirt, rocks and other impurities, mixed with water and allowed to settle over the course of a few days. The mixture is separated from the remaining debris and put inside of large cloth sacks to filter out the water. These sacks are usually hung up to a tree for around a week to dry the excess water. After that, the clay is stored to be used.
This process, while not particularly difficult, takes a lot of time and the Aimlowy are very picky about the quality of the clay they use. Clay is gathered constantly to avoid running out of it.
==Techniques==
All of the work is done by hand with the help of simple tools and lathes powered by pedals.
The tools are made of stone mounted on wooden handles and are necessary when decorating and detailing the final product.
Sometimes shells and flints are used as decoration, but the most common way of decorating is by carving patterns on the surface of vases, bowls and plates. These patterns usually involve wavy lines, dots and motifs that recall water flowing and sea waves. The Aimlowy have developed a particular technique to obtain these patterns: when the model is still wet, they embed a string on its surface in the desired shape and coat it with a thin layer of clay to avoid it falling off. When the model has been fired the first time, the thread is pulled out, revealing the intended pattern. It is then fired a second time, usually applying a glaze, to finish the product.
The glaze is typically either an ash glaze, which is applied as a paste, or a salt glaze, which is obtained by throwing salt into the kiln during the firing process. The latter is preferred when the piece is less detailed and for items of common use.
The most traditional form of firing is pit firing, which is easy to obtain and good to produce large quantities of pottery. The use of kilns in a more modern sense (with ventilation and a fire chamber) is rarer and almost exclusive to high-end professionals.
==Gallery==
File:Ritual Aimlowy bowls and carafes.png
File:Aimlowy storage vase.png
File:Other pottery and patterns.png