Pinch pot

A Pinch pot is an ancient as well as contemporary form of pottery. Many ancient cultures made them and many still make and use them in their everyday lives.

Simple clay vessels such as bowls and cups of various sizes can be formed and shaped by hand using a methodical pinching process in which the clay walls are thinned by pinching them with thumb and forefinger. It is a basic pot making method often taught to young children or beginners.

To make a bowl begin with a ball of clay. Push your thumb into the center, and then pinch up the walls. Turn the piece as you pinch. This will help you keep the walls of the piece at an even thickness. Push the bottom of the pot on a flat surface to create a flat spot that it will rest on when finished.

Pinch Pots are commonly found in Ancient Native American ruins.

Pinch pots may also be used as a way to start building large coil pots. The base of the pot is less prone to cracking when it is formed this way.

In schools, art promotes the Pinch pot as a basic form of pottery. This is the beginner's clay pot for people that want to do pottery. It is a very basic pot to make.

Pinch pots are also commonly known as poop pots in southwest England.