Egyptian Paste

gyptian Paste was used, as the name implies, by the ancient Egyptians, as far back as 7,000 years ago. Ornaments made from this material have been found in most Egyptian burial tombs. Egyptian Paste is a self-glazing, low-firing clay body that was probably discovered by accident when a mixture of sand, clay, potash feldspar and soda ash were fired.

The Egyptian Paste body contains soluble salts that rise to the surface while the work is drying. This layer of salt acts as a flux, glazing the surface and also helping the clay body itself to vitrify at low temperatures. That's why it is important not to disturb the crystalline surface after the drying process is completed. Slow and even drying will also ensure a consistent sodium coverage and glaze effect.

Because Egyptian Paste glazes all-over, including the underside, work needs to be fired on stilts, or very well bat washed kiln shelves. This is a 'short' body with little plasticity and is suitable for handbuilding small pieces. Some modern Egyptian Paste recipes are a bit more plastic and can be wheel thrown. Traditional ceramic oxides and body stains can be used to color the body. It might also pay to experiment with some of the watersoluble metal salts. But the most traditional color which the Egyptians used themselves and gives the characteristic turquoise color known from ancient beads, amulets and scarabs, is copper oxide or carbonate (although a colorant is not necessary). If using copper carbonate or other oxides and carbonates, please follow the basic rules for handling toxic ceramic materials. Egyptian Paste is usually fired to a temperature range of 1650^o - 1800^o F (900^o - 1000^o C, Cone 010 - 06)

Egyptian Paste
Recipe 1
Base Glaze
Cone 010 - 06

Soda Feldspar  Silica  Ball Clay  Soda Ash  Sodium Bicarbonate

39.0  39.0  12.0  6.0 6.0

Comment: Add up to 3% oxides or carbonates as a colorant.

Egyptian Paste
Recipe 2
Base Glaze
Cone 08 - 06

Soda Feldspar  Silica  Ball Clay/China Clay  Bentonite  Soda Bicarbonate  Sodium Carbonate

35.0  35.0  12.0  2.0  6.0 6.0

Comment: Add up to 3% oxides or carbonates as a colorant.

Egyptian Paste
Recipe 3
A more plastic body
*This body seems to require a lower firing temperature, under cone 09, especially for handbuilding. Thanks to Khaimraj for pointing this out. Maturing temperatures may also vary due to differences in local materials.
Cone 08 - 06 (?)

Ball Clay  Nephelene Syenite  Ferro Frit 3134  Silica  Fine Sand  Calcined Borax  Soda Ash  Bentonite

25.0  25.0  15.0  20.0  5.0  3.0  4.0  3.0

Comment: Add up to 3% oxides or carbonates as a colorant.

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