I know this is a little off topic, but I'm having a terrible time getting a lead on this, and I'm hoping one of you can point me in the right direction...

We brought home a clay pot that is probably 500 years old or more--the kind they used to store food in, with a layer of lard on top (yum!). It's pretty big (waist-high), and appears to be made out of clay, and "painted" with some kind of calcium "paint."

The neck broke off in transit, and we're bummed (this was a honeymoon purchase).

Do any of you know how to "glue" clay parts together? Any comments or leads are welcome!

Thank you!
Kuma

What you have was probably not fired in a kiln, but I have not seen it and they did have kilns 500 years ago.

My first suggestion is to speak with someone at a museum. If no luck there, look for someone that teaches throwing clay on a wheel.

If you still have no luck, then I can tell you what I would do myself. Just get some clay slip and repair the piece yourself. If you just use slip, the repair would be temporary - it also would not ruin the value of the piece since the repair is temporary. Once you use the slip to glue the piece together again, just don't move it. Someday you will find a professional to repair it. Good luck.

Monica I would be leary of using slip since it is so fragile and may let go causing more damage.

500 years ago the firing methods ment that the clay was fired at a low temperature and thus more fragile and porus. That said it did last 500 years.

I have a few very old pieces myself and they are so very wonderful. To think that someone made it with their hands so many years ago.
Good luck and treat it well.