Many beginners or potters use the terms pottery and ceramics interchangeably, but do they mean the same thing?
Let's take a look.
"Ceramic" derives from the Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos), meaning of pottery or for pottery.
"Pottery" derives from the Old English word potian, meaning to push.
Someone who makes pottery is considered a "Potter" and a potter often pushes clay on the pottery wheel to create pots. With this explanation, it is easy to imagine how the name came to be.
Ceramics are often referred to describe ceramic art, which could be figurines or intricate sculptures. Ceramics are also made from clay but can be a solid body (crystalline) or glass-like (noncrystalline).
On the other hand, pottery is made from clay and fired at high temperatures to create a hard surface that can be decorated with glaze.
In short, pottery is a type of ceramic, but not all ceramics are pottery.
Did I confuse you even more?
Happy Potting!
Ivy