What hand-forming method creates a pot by pinching the clay to create a center opening?

• A. Pinch Pots
• B. Slab Built
• C. Wheel Thrown
• D. Coiled Pots

Answer: (A)

Pinch pots are formed by hand through pinching the clay to create walls and a center opening. Start with a ball of clay, press a thumb into the center to form a hollow, and then gently pinch and turn the clay with your fingers to thin and shape the walls. As you work, you widen the opening at the top while keeping the bottom thicker for stability. This method is a fundamental hand-building technique and produces small vessels like bowls and cups. It differs from slab built, which uses flat panels joined together; wheel thrown, which is formed on a spinning wheel; and coiled pots, which are built by stacking rolled coils.