Another method dispenses with the formation of the cylinder or "lining." A ball of clay of the proper size is dropped into the mold and pressed into shape with the fingers, the wheel, of course, being spun. The finishing is accomplished with the rib as before. This method will answer for wares which are to receive a low fire but for high temperatures the clay must be handled by the first-named plan.
The cup is not complete without a handle. This may be modeled as already stated but to make each one of half a dozen in this way is unduly tedious. The better plan is to model a handle in wax and make a mold as already directed. A roll of soft clay is then laid in the mold, the two halves pressed together and the handle taken out and finished. Care must be taken that cup and handle are of the same degree of moisture, leather hard, for choice, or they will part company as they dry. The fastening is done with thick slip.
The method for saucers is the same as that for plates, so that one description will suffice. The first step is to make a tool or profile. A large handful of soft clay is rolled out into a thick cylinder and laid down upon the plate mold. It should extend from the center to the circumference, forming a radius of the circle. The clay is pressed closely to the surface of the mold and part of it is squeezed into a knob which will form the hand-hold of the tool (Fig. 16, page 66). The clay is left in this position until it becomes nearly but not quite dry. It is then taken off and whittled into shape. The front edge must be straight and must lie along a radius of the plate. The foot is cut in at the proper point and a broad wedge-shaped hollow is made so as to gather the clay and pile it up into the foot. The hand-hold is shaped so as to fit comfortably between the first and second fingers of the right hand. When properly shaped the tool is thoroughly dried and then burned in the kiln. The fire must not be severe as it is important not to shrink the tool to any great extent. After burning slight corrections can be made with a file or a hard stone. The heel of the profile must be exactly at the center of the plate and the toe or curve must rest on the outer edge of the plate mold.