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Slip-painted ware

Slip-painted pots were made as follows:

1. The vessels were shaped on a wheel.
2. When leather-hard, the inside or outside of the pots was decorated by applying a trail of light-coloured slip (a solution of clay) to create a pattern, such as a looped chain. Then the pots were left to dry.
3. The pots were fired for the first time.
4. The decorated areas of the pots were coated in a lead glaze that became transparent when fired.
5. The pots were fired for the second time.

On the best examples the light slip forms a pleasing contrast with the red colour of the clay.