Turners and Burners: The Folk Potters of North Carolina (Fred W Morrison Series in Southern Studies)

By Charles G. Zug III

Book Overview

This richly illustrated portrait of North Carolina's pottery traditions tells the story of the generations of "turners and burners" whose creations are much admired for their strength and beauty. Perhaps no other state possesses such an active and extensive ceramic heritage, and one that is entirely continuous. This book is an attempt to understand both the past and the present, the now largely vanished world of the folk potter and the continuing achievements of his descendants. It is a tribute that is long overdue.

From the middle of the eighteenth century through the second quarter of the twentieth century, folk potters in North Carolina produced thousands of pieces of earthenware and stoneware -- sturdy, simple, indispensable forms like jars and jugs, milk crocks and butter churns, pitchers and dishes, ring jugs and flowerpots. Their wares were familiar and everyday, not innovative or unusual, because they were shaped through generations of use for specific functions. The utilitarian forms were so commonplace and embedded in daily life that few individuals documented the craft. Turners and Burners is the first book to chronicle these pottery traditions, with close attention to distinct regional and temporal patterns and the major families involved. It explores in detail the traditional technologies used, from the foot-powered treadle wheel to the wood-fired groundhog kiln.

Terry Zug became interested in North Carolina pottery in 1969 shortly after moving to Chapel Hill. In 1974 he began documenting the craft and traveled throughout the state recording the reminiscences of potters, former potters, and members of potters' families who recalled the old craft in remarkable detail. He systematically photographed and cataloged old pots, located early shop sites, and carefully recorded the remaining waster dumps of broken shards and decaying equipment. His primary source, however, was the potters themselves. Their tape-recorded interviews provide an insider's view of their world and reveal the powerful underlying logic and autonomy of their craft.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807842761
• ISBN13: 9780807842768
• Release Date: February 1990
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 488 Pages
• Weight: 3.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.3" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

An Essential NC Pottery Book

This is an essential work on traditional North Carolina pottery. Charles Zug is a long-time student of the craft and this book reflects a tremendous depth of research and knowledge. The book's focus is on the historic development of North Carolina pottery as a folk craft, beginning with Colonial era pioneers and continuing through the early 1980s. Along the way, Zug educates the reader in techniques, materials, forms, and many of the potters themselves. "Turners and Burners" is a standard-setter and for anyone getting started in North Carolina pottery is an essential reference tool.

One of the Best

My wife purchases unique pottery, antiques, etc. on a regular basis. As we live on the border of North Carolina, we often were advised to get this book. I recently gave it to her as a gift, and she loved it. She has an extensive library of reference works, and considers this book "one of the best".

Well-written, in-depth account of folk pottery in N.C.

This book is for anyone who is interested in the history of pottery in North Carolina. The book focuses on pottery as necessary to the rural way of life. Turners and Burners makes the reader appreciate the functional designs of the early potters. It explores three rich pottery areas in the state - Catawba Valley, Seagrove area and Moravian potters. Many families in these areas are still turning out pottery. The book goes into great detail about Burlon Craig, who is considered the last folk potter in North Carolina.Sections of the book reviews glazes, kiln construction and functionality of different container designs. Also, it reviews whimsies, face jugs and ring jugs and their place in the pottery tradition of North Carolina.Turners and Burners gives the reader a great appreciation for the history of pottery in the North Carolina. It will make you want to plan a trip to Seagrove or the Catawba Valley.

A teriffic account of the history & tradition of NC pottery.

Turners and Burners is a must for anyone interested in North Carolina Folk pottery. It presents the history starting with the first potters to settle in the region to the evolution of the trade that lives on today.Charles Zug does an outstanding job of presenting the culture and the mindset that guided the craft through generations of potters spanning over two centuries. And the technologies of the craft is given ample attention, through interesting descriptions, drawings, and photographs. A prime example is the discussion of how alkaline glaze kilns differed from the salt kilns in terms of design, firing methods, and durability.This is a great book, full of useful information to the researcher as well as praticing potters.