Terra cotta

Terra cotta is a hard semifired waterproof ceramic clay used in pottery and building construction. The term is also used to refer to items made out of this material and to its natural, brownish orange color. The name is Italian for "baked earth".

Related Topics:
Ceramic - Clay - Italian

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Terra cotta has been used throughout history for sculpture and pottery, as well as bricks and roof shingles. In ancient times, the first clay sculptures were dried (baked) in the sun after being formed. Later, they were placed in the ashes of open hearths to harden, and finally kilns were used, similar to those used for pottery today. Terra cotta usually has a brownish-orange color.

Related Topics:
Sculpture - Pottery - Brick - Shingle - Kiln

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Significant uses of terra cotta have included the Terracotta Army of China, built in 210–209 BC. American architect Louis Sullivan is well-known for his elaborate glazed terra cotta ornamentation, designs that would have been impossible to execute in any other medium.

Related Topics:
Terracotta Army - 210 - 209 BC - Louis Sullivan - Glazed terra cotta

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It is also a color.

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