Is it possible to preserve common non-polymer clay sculpture without firing it in the kiln ? How ?

Answer 1

Hey yathinx,

It will be greenware, but that type of clay has been used for thousands of years!

Answer 2

The biggest problem with non-fired terra-cotta or ball clay sculpture is the differing thicknesses in the clay structure and the effect of armatures in the drying process. The larger the work the more problems. Cracking will occur as thinner sections dry quickly and contract and move away from thicker slower drying parts. Where there are armatures these tend to hold parts of the clay in a fixed position leaving other parts free to move. There is no real solution except to ensure that each part has an even thickness, there are no sealed cavities [must be a common temp/humidity through all parts of the sculpture] and it is allowed to dry very slowly in a controlled environment. A hollow sculpture sitting on a clay batt will shrink and break unless the base board is filled with holes to allow air inside the body. Slow and careful, and attention to clay thickness and sculpture structure will help. Good luck!