What is terracotta?

Explain the term terracotta. What are its properties?

Ans-:               

             Terra means earth and cotta means baked. Thus terracotta means baked earth. It is a type of earthenware or pottery made from local earth. It is also glazed from locally available galena. This glazing is not hard enough and can be scratched by knife.

            The properties of terracotta are as under.

1.     Terracotta is brittle.

2.     Intricate items of terracotta can be moulded or shaped on potter-wheel.

3.     It has a typical brownish red colour.

4.     It is durable in exterior conditions and even in rains.

5.     There are no atmospheric effects and lasts longer.

6.     It can be scratched easily and is not very hard.

7.     It can be either glazed or unglazed.