Usage of Meerschaum as an Alternative Material in Artistic Ceramics

Artistic ceramics are shaped through artists’ feelings and thoughts in relation with design and technique. The choice of red clay, stoneware, porcelain clay depends on the design and choice of the artist. Sometimes the artist needs different materials such as wood, metal, glass, sand, stone besides the ceramic clay in order to strengthen the expression. The combination of these materials and ceramics allows the artists to reinforce their designs and to express their designs effectively. Meerschaum is a stone type that is precious, white and has tons of mines in many regions of the world and easy to process. It may provide an alternative usage potential when used with ceramics to enhance the design. Thanks to these features, for almost three hundred years, many products have been made from meerschaum for both functional and decorative purposes. These products include cigarette nozzles, rosaries, jewelery and trinkets, especially pipes. Many different materials such as wood, glass and plastic are used together with meerschaum in producing the artwork mentioned above. The majority of meerschaum mines in our country is located around Eskis？ehir and the meerschaum which is mined in this region is in high quality worldwide in terms of whiteness and workability. Meerschaum, which is easy to shape and colorize, and is compatible with different materials, provides an opportunity to use it with ceramic clay in order to strengthen the design of artistic ceramics to the appliers. This study aims to contribute to the use of meerschaum by suggesting new design alternatives. Also, necessary definitions are made after researching artistic ceramics and different materials used with ceramic clay are exemplified. In addition, when, how and which way meerschaum will be included in the ceramic production process is studied by making applications and determining the material and design relation of meerschaum