Materials for Design

Terracotta

Terracotta has been used since the earliest times – for example, the terracotta army from China dates back to 210–209 BCE. One of the simplest expressions of earthenware ceramics, terracotta is the material used in flowerpots but behind its suntanned, digestive biscuit texture lays an interesting scientific phenomenon that actually contributes a functionality to the product that most people are unaware of.

Translated from the Italian for baked earth, terracotta is unglazed, semi-fired clay with a distinctive dry, creamy red biscuity texture, which is obtained through washing the clay and mixing in only the finest particles of sand. Although the red variety is the most common, it is also found in yellow and even a milky white, depending ...