Pottery Collecting Buzzwords

Just starting to collect pottery?  You’ll probably run into a few new terms along the way.  Here’s a few that I hear often:

Bisque:  This is a type of pottery that has been fired once without any glaze.

Mold made:  This is when clay is pressed into a mold to create a form like a vase or even a plate.

Majolica:  A low fire glazing technique, Majolica is made by applying an opaque tin glaze that was applied to earthenware and then painting it with different colored oxides.

What other terms do the pottery collectors out there use?

The auction’s over. Now what?

The last item in the auction has been sold, and the items that you bought have been packed in your car.  Now what?

When you are ready to leave, this is now the time to go back to the “main desk” where you picked up your number.  The clerk that hands out the number also is where you pay for the merchandise that you won at the auction.

Most of the auction companies in my area also employ an additional clerk who accompanies the auctioneer.  Each time an item is won, the clerk fills out a ticket that lists the item description, the amount of the final bid, and the number of the bidder who won the item.  Sheets if tickets are returned to the “main desk” where bidder numbers are distributed.  Tickets are separated by bidder numbers.  When you check out, your tickets are tallied to determine your grand total.

At the “main desk,” the clerk will also give you a copy of the tickets.  These tickets will act as a receipt as well, but be aware that things sold at an auction usually can’t be returned.  If you are interested in something that runs off of electricity like a vintage Budweiser sign, make sure to see if you can plug it in before bidding.  Most auction companies sell items as-is, where-is, no warranties.

When everything is paid for, now is the time to head out and proudly display your latest finds.