What is the Technique of Coiling? Coiling Technique Explained

What is the technique of coiling?

You may have heard the term coiling being used in pottery, but what is the technique of coiling?

The technique of coiling

Coiling is a method that can be used for building pottery by hand. It is often used to create pots and vessels and doesn’t require the use of a wheel. It is an ancient technique that has been used around the world for thousands of years. The process involves taking a small amount of clay, and then rolling it out on a flat surface until it forms a rope-like shape, called a coil. The coils are used as a way of building the ‘walls’ of the piece by being placed on top of each other, one layer at a time. The walls of coils are then gradually built up upon one another, one layer at a time. This can be a slower method than throwing clay on a potter’s wheel, but the technique of coiling allows the maker to build with thicker, strong and taller walls. The gradual process of building up the walls layer by layer gives more control to maker, whop can manipulate shape, direction and thickness of the walls. This would be much more difficult to do on the wheel.

The coils can be left exposed on the outside, as a visual feature of the piece. They can also be smoothed out by hand and joined seamlessly.

It is difficult to make a completely symmetrical piece using the technique of coiling. Part of its beauty is the imperfect and handmade nature of this method, making every piece unique. The technique of coiling is somewhat slow and contemplative in nature, and requires patience.

Coiling clay is also a great way to build sculptures, and experiment with different shapes. It gives the maker flexibility that cannot be achieved on the wheel, which tends to be more focused on centring the clay and forming symmetrical shapes.

When building with the technique of coiling, it is best to start with thicker coils at the base of the piece, which is where it carries more weight. This will strengthen the base of piece. The coils can gradually decrease in thickness as you work your way up. This helps to decrease the amount of weight that the case has to carry.

Here are some examples of what coiling can look like:

A simple clay vessel being constructed with layers of coils, where the coils were left exposed on the exterior of the piece.

What is the technique of coiling Coiling technique pottery

Images sourced from The Pottery Wheel.

Coils that are used to make patterned effects.

Images sourced from Crimson Art with Manders.

Experimental techniques using coils.

Image sourced from Ceramic Arts Queensland.

My own personal art project, where I used the technique of coiling. I smoothed out the exterior of the vessel, to allow for further decorative elements such as scragfitto and decals. You can read more about this project here.