= Skatīt arī =
Agāta trauki ir keramikas dekoratīvā tehnika, kurā dažādu krāsu māli tiek apvienoti un sajaukti, lai radītu marmorētus rakstus, kas atgādina dabisko ahātu. Raksti tiek veidoti pašā māla ķermenī, nevis uzklāti uz virsmas.
Šajā tehnikā podnieki sagatavo māla ķermeņus, kas tonēti ar dažādiem minerālu pigmentiem vai dabīgām māla krāsām. Šie māli tiek slāņoti, savīti, locīti vai viegli sajaukti kopā, pirms māls tiek veidots traukos vai citos priekšmetos. Kad māls tiek griezts, stiepts vai mests uz ripas, iekšējie raksti kļūst redzami uz virsmas.
The resulting marbled designs may resemble flowing bands, swirls, or irregular streaks of color. Because the pattern extends throughout the clay body, the decorative effect remains visible even after trimming or shaping.
Agateware techniques have been used in several ceramic traditions and became particularly well known in European ceramics during the 18th century. Similar patterned-clay methods also appear in other ceramic traditions and are conceptually related to techniques such as Nerikomi.
After shaping, agateware pieces are typically finished with a transparent glaze that highlights the natural marbled patterns of the clay.
