Final answer:
Earthenware is made from various clays fired at low temperatures, resulting in porous material often glazed for waterproofing, while stoneware is fired at higher temperatures, leading to natural durability and waterproof qualities. Diverse methods and cultural practices have influenced pottery production throughout history, leading to a range of functional and decorative styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between earthenware and stoneware pottery primarily lies in the type of clay used, the firing temperature, and the resultant durability and impermeability of the final product. Earthenware is made from a variety of clays that fire at lower temperatures, around 1000-1150°C, resulting in a more porous and less durable material that is often glazed to make it waterproof. In contrast, stoneware is made from clay that is fired at higher temperatures, typically between 1200-1315°C and is naturally non-porous and more durable. While both types of pottery serve functional purposes, stoneware is typically used for items requiring greater strength and waterproof qualities without glazing, such as crocks and stoneware dishes.
Throughout history, different cultures have adopted various methods of pottery production based on their technological capabilities and available resources. This has resulted in distinctive pottery styles, such as black-on-orange pottery, which does not use a potter's wheel and is formed by hand or in molds. Furthermore, utilitarian and elite pottery serve different functions in society, with elite pottery being finely made for holding precious liquids or decoration. The firing methods, including the use of updraft kilns and open-pit kilns, are essential in defining the finished product's texture, durability, and color.
Similarly, the cultural importance of pottery is evident in historical practices, such as the Longshan culture's exceptional black pottery known for its thin-walled goblets made using a high-speed potter's wheel and multiple updraft kilns. Decorative techniques varied, with some pottery remaining plain and every day in use, while other forms received elaborate decorations, such as the highly adorned pottery featuring black-painted designs on white or gray backgrounds. Ultimately, the choice of materials, techniques, and decorative styles reflects the cultural values, technological advancements, and available natural resources of a society.