Abstract
Sustainable pottery production is evident and achievable in rural areas and developing countries where importing material or equipment might be impractical due to inadequate, or lack of, logistical infrastructure. Sustainable pottery is integral to profitable pottery production. This study is aimed at producing a kiln bath, or shelf using locally available materials. Producing an alternative to expensive foreign imports for local potters. Findings from this study recommend recipe/sample B i.e. 20% of levigated ball clay, 25% of levigated kaolin, and 55% grog (fired kaolin) as the most suitable composition for the production of a kiln shelf. The ratio of water to material composition of 30:70 must also be adhered to, in order to ensure that the mixture is not too soft for ramming.
Before the introduction of kilns into Nigeria, open firings were conducted by arranging the wares on top each other with grass, wood, and dry straws in between (and on) them. Many of these pots were unglazed; however some surface finishes were mistaken for glaze (Okunna, 2012). Technology brought about kiln improvements including shelves and props for arranging of wares inside the kiln.
Kiln furniture includes shelves (baths), props, and stilts. Gadzama (2015) and Idowu (2014) state they are essential equipment to boost pottery production, especially regarding
