Amazingly, in the West the wheel was usually driven anticlockwise, but in China and Japan it was driven clockwise. The final step was to arrange a very high momentum wheel to be at floor level with a pedestal and worktable enabling the potter to drive the wheel with his foot (the “kick” wheel), freeing up both hands to model the pot (possibly devised in Egypt but the date is disputed between 1,500 and 500 BC). This permitted an averagely skilled potter to readily “throw” a pot where the speed of rotation was consistent and high enough to allow the manufacture of high quality, mass-produced pots. Once the clay had been centred on the wheel it would be drawn up and squashed down to further homogenise it. The centre would be hollowed out and the sides of the vessel drawn up. Various aids might have been used to help the potter form the body such as the Chinese “potter’s ring”.

Chinese Neolithic Potter’s ring 2,500-1,500 BC

Once complete a wire would be used to separate the vessel from the wheel head. Any slight distortion on removal settles out as the clay has a “memory”; that is, the stresses and strains relieve themselves, especially if the clay is highly plastic. Experience permits potters to obtain amazing accuracy and repeatability of output. Kick wheels are found today in some potter’s studios and the only embellishment is that modern versions are likely to have a ball-bearing pivot.

Potter Making Teapot on Kick Wheel-showing
even thickness

An alternative was to have an assistant turn the wheel, but most now have electric motors.

Hand Driven Potter’s Wheel - courtesy Worcester
Porcelain Museum and Image courtesy of the
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Modern Electric Wheel - Image courtesy of the
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent