ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

At left we see a basalt (stone) pivot which was used as a pivot in an early potter's wheel. This dates to 3000 BCE. At right are two possible reconstructions of how such a pivot could have been used to make a functioning potter's wheel. Note that one stone could have simply been placed atop another, with the pointed pivot fitting inside a stone with a hollow. With oil as a lubricant, the wheel could have been hand turned (drawing at far right). By attaching a pole with a wheel head above, it could have been kicked to maintain momentum (drawing in middle). A wheel such as this would have assisted in achieving faster speeds, and this, in turn, would have enabled pottery of greater symmetry to be made. Such a wheel, with sustainable momentum, is called a 'fast wheel.'

Basalt pivot for potter's wheel (L) and possible reconstructions of how it was used (R) 3000 BCE, Middle East