The Clay
Ball clay in South Devon formed as a result of the weathering and decomposition of granite, especially the Dartmoor granite. Granite rock in upland Dartmoor broke down due to warm, wet conditions, producing kaolinite clay (the main mineral in ball clay).
Scientist estimate that 4.5 billion years ago an asteroid similar in size to Mars hit Earth with immeasurable force and melted the planet to its’ core, altering its’ chemical composition. Through the wizardry of geology and time, fine particles of silica mixed with alumina, water, complementary minerals and impurities to form clay.
This kaolinite, with other minerals, was transported by rivers from Dartmoor and surrounding uplands into the Bovey Basin. The clays settled in river flood plains, shallow lakes, and lagoons.
Ball clay is called a "secondary clay" because it was not formed in place, but moved from its source, allowing it to become very fine-grained (which makes it highly plastic and suitable for pottery).
My work is made at the pottery school I founded in 2022, The Clay Yard in Totnes. There we choose to use clay sourced locally, we respect its’ time-honoured journey and value it in the story of the pottery we make.
