Editing Terracotta (section)

==Production==
{{Main|Pottery#Production}}

Prior to firing, terracotta clays are easy to shape. Shaping techniques include [[Potter's wheel|throwing]], [[slip casting]] as well as [[Pottery#Shaping|others]].<ref>'Technical Trends Of Cottage Ceramic Industries In Southwestern Nigeria' Journal of Visual Art and Design. Segun Oladapo Abiodun. Vol. 10, No. 1, 2018</ref><ref>'Mechanisms To Improve Energy Efficiency In Small Industries. Part Two: Pottery In India And Khurja' A. Rath, DFID Project R7413. Policy Research International</ref>

After drying, it is placed in a [[kiln]] or, more traditionally, in a [[Pit fired pottery|pit]] covered with combustible material, then [[pottery#Firing|fired]]. The typical firing temperature is around {{convert|1000|C}}, though it may be as low as {{convert|600|C}} in historic and archaeological examples.<ref name="Grove">Grove, 1</ref> During this process, the iron oxides in the body reacts with oxygen, often resulting in the reddish colour known as [[Salmon (color)#Variations of salmon|terracotta]]. However, color can vary widely, including shades of yellow, orange, buff, red, pink, grey or brown.<ref name="Grove"/>

A final method is to carve fired bricks or other terracotta shapes. This technique is less common, but examples can be found in the [[architecture of Bengal]] on [[Hindu temple]]s and mosques. 
[[File:POL 3596-Editar (15708757686).jpg|thumb|One of the warriors of the [[Terracotta Army]], mould-made [[History of Art#Ancient China|Ancient Chinese]] terracotta sculptures of the armies of [[Qin Shi Huang]], the first [[Emperor of China]]]]