# Sovereignty Module: Narrow the Neck

## Complete Vase and Bottle Making: From Wheel to Enclosed Form

Vases and bottles require collaring (narrowing) the neck, the most advanced wheel technique. This campaign covers enclosed forms, collaring, bottle profiles, and decorative approaches.

### Chapter 1: Enclosed Form Types

| Type | Neck Opening | Height | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bud vase | 1-1.5 inches | 6-8 inches | Single stem |
| Flower vase | 2-3 inches | 8-12 inches | Bouquet |
| Bottle | 1-2 inches | 8-12 inches | Liquid storage |
| Flask | 1-1.5 inches | 6-8 inches | Portable liquid |
| Jug | 2-3 inches | 10-14 inches | Liquid storage, pouring |
| Urn | 3-5 inches | 12-18 inches | Decorative, storage |

### Chapter 2: Throwing and Collaring

Vase throwing: 1) Center 2-4 pounds of clay. 2) Open and pull cylinder to desired height. 3) Shape belly: push outward from inside at desired point. 4) Belly position determines vase character (low belly = stable; high belly = elegant). 5) Begin collaring: place both hands around neck. 6) Squeeze gently while wheel turns slowly. 7) Collar in stages (1/4 inch narrower per pass). 8) Do not collapse the neck (support inside with finger or tool). 9) Shape rim: flare slightly or leave straight. 10) Rim must be smooth and even.

| Collaring Step | Hand Position | Pressure | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First pass | Both hands around neck | Light | Slow |
| Second pass | Both hands, slightly higher | Moderate | Slow |
| Third pass | Fingertips only | Light | Very slow |
| Final shaping | One finger inside, one outside | Light | Slow |
| Rim finishing | Chamois or finger | Very light | Moderate |

### Chapter 3: Bottle Profiles

| Profile | Belly Position | Neck Length | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion | Low, wide | Short | Rustic, stable |
| Pear | Low-mid | Medium | Classic, balanced |
| Ovoid | Center | Medium | Elegant |
| Cylinder | Even | Short | Modern, clean |
| Gourd | Low, very wide | Long, narrow | Dramatic |
| Amphora | Center | Long | Ancient, formal |

### Chapter 4: Trimming Enclosed Forms

Trimming: 1) Wait until leather-hard. 2) Invert on wheel (use chuck for narrow-necked pieces). 3) Chuck: thrown cylinder that holds vase inverted. 4) Center carefully. 5) Trim foot ring. 6) Trim exterior to refine profile. 7) Foot ring diameter: 30-40% of belly diameter. 8) Wall thickness should be even (tap to check). 9) Enclosed forms hide interior thickness, so careful trimming is essential.

| Trimming Factor | Vase | Bottle | Urn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot ring diameter | 30-40% of belly | 30-40% of belly | 35-45% of belly |
| Foot ring height | 1/4 inch | 1/4 inch | 3/8 inch |
| Wall thickness target | 3/16-1/4 inch | 3/16-1/4 inch | 1/4-5/16 inch |

### Chapter 5: Decorative Techniques

| Technique | Method | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faceting | Cut flat planes with wire | Geometric, modern | Bottles, vases |
| Carving | Carve patterns at leather-hard | Textured, detailed | All forms |
| Slip trailing | Apply liquid clay in patterns | Raised decoration | Vases, jugs |
| Sgraffito | Scratch through colored slip | Line drawing | All forms |
| Paddling | Paddle to alter shape | Organic, asymmetric | Bottles, vases |
| Burnishing | Polish with smooth stone | Mirror-like surface | Unglazed pieces |

### Reference Card

1. Collar slowly and gently (collaring narrows the neck by squeezing from outside; too much pressure too fast collapses the form; collar in small increments over multiple passes). 2. Support the inside during collaring (as the neck narrows, the walls want to fold inward; a finger, stick, or rib inside the neck provides counter-pressure that prevents collapse). 3. The belly position defines the character (a low belly creates a stable, grounded form; a high belly creates an elegant, top-heavy form; the belly position is the most important design decision). 4. Enclosed forms require a chuck for trimming (a narrow-necked vase cannot be inverted on the wheel without a chuck; the chuck is a thrown cylinder that cradles the vase during trimming). 5. Even wall thickness is hidden but critical (the interior of an enclosed form is invisible; uneven walls cause uneven weight, warping during firing, and potential cracking; trim carefully). 6. The neck controls the pour (for functional bottles and jugs, the neck diameter and shape determine how liquid pours; a narrow neck pours slowly and precisely; a wide neck pours quickly). 7. Vases and bottles are the potter's artistic canvas (enclosed forms offer the largest continuous surface for decoration; carving, slip trailing, and glazing transform a simple form into art). 8. The enclosed form is pottery's greatest challenge (collaring, shaping, and finishing a perfectly proportioned enclosed form requires mastery of every wheel skill; it is the ultimate test of the potter's ability).