The term describes the state of greenwareunfired clay objectswhen they have lost nearly all physical water. At this stage, the piece is extremely fragile and porous, ready to be fired in a kiln. For instance, a clay bowl left to air dry for several days in a low-humidity environment will typically reach this condition. Its color will be lighter, and it will feel significantly warmer than a damp piece of clay when held.
Attaining this condition is crucial in ceramics because it minimizes the risk of cracking or exploding during the initial stages of firing. Water remaining within the clay body can rapidly expand upon heating, generating internal pressure that can destroy the piece. Historically, potters have relied on various techniques, including slow, even drying and careful monitoring of moisture content, to ensure successful firings and reduce waste.
