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Terracotta Clay Pots
This is an amazing array of Cambodian artisanal clay pots of all shapes, sizes and design.

@ Terracotta Clay Pots
Sofia begins her exploration of Ceramics.

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Ceramic Wall, Barcelona
A stunning example of Gaudi's work in this Spanish park. What finer place to sit and relax in the sun for a while? Designer and architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was at the forefront of the Art Nouveau movement in Spain. Barcelona saw the creation of some of the city's most notable landmarks. Gaudí was a pioneer in his field using color, texture and movement in ways never before imagined. His works are a testament to his genius.

@ Ceramic Wall, Barcelona

Blue And Copper Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Sample 3/25

Whimsical Fish
This ceramic tile with its foreground of a stunning blue fish with terracotta coloured fins with a background of ornate flowers is a work of art.

@ Whimsical Fish
“You know, I'd love to go to Barcelona to see these works by Gaudi in real life, Sofia,” Rhianna said. "It would be amazing!"
“It certainly would, Rhianna!" said Sofia. "You'll have to suggest it to Uncle David."

Sample 4/25

Colourful Turkish Lamp
This beautiful lamp bears a pleasing mosaic in violet and red on the front, with an asymmetrical "crazy paving" of glass chips round the sides.

@ Colourful Turkish Lamp
"I'm going to buy a framed print of that amazing optical illusion, MIT," said Sofia. "It'll go well with my coffee pot from Turkey, and my model of the Titanic from when we went to Belfast."
"That sounds like a nice collection of mementoes, Sofia!"

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Jolly Pumpkin
This jolly, chuckling pumpkin looks like he can't wait for Hallowe'en! Adding a candle inside a ceramic pumpkin is a great way to cast a haunting glow and add a spooky atmosphere to any Hallowe'en event! It will look spooktacular on the windowsill as its orange glowing light shines through its cut out details.

@ Jolly Pumpkin
“You know, I'd love to go to Barcelona to see these works by Gaudi in real life, Sofia,” Storm said. "It would be amazing!"
“It certainly would, Storm!" said Sofia. "You'll have to suggest it to Uncle David."

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Oriental Tiles
These decorative tiles have an artistic design of ornate flowers and gracefully curving leaves, all in shades of blue and red.

@ Oriental Tiles
"I'm going to buy that ceramic plantpot for my Granny, Paxton," said Sofia.
"That sounds like a great idea, Sofia—she’ll love it!" replied Paxton. "I'm really liking this gift shop!"

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@ Textured Limestone Wall
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sofia?” Bindy said.
“It certainly would, Bindy!" said Sofia.

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Tile Mosaic
This mosaic of small tiles in shades of amber, orange, cream and brown makes the perfect rustic look for bathroom or kitchen!

@ Tile Mosaic
"You know, Sofia—when I hear 'ceramics' I think of fruit bowls and teacups and things. It seems funny to learn here that the turbine blades of jet engines have a ceramic coating!"
"Ah, that's because ceramics are thermal insulators, meaning they stop the turbines from overheating when they spin thousands of times per minute," responded Artic.

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@ Ceramic Cockatoo
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sofia?” Tiger said.
“It certainly would, Tiger!" said Sofia.

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@ Chequered Tiled Floor
"I'm going to buy a framed print of that amazing optical illusion, Nanuk," said Sofia. "It'll go well with my coffee pot from Turkey, and my origami crane from Japan."
"That sounds like a nice collection of mementoes, Sofia!"

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Feline Trio
Are these cats saying "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil"? Dear me, no! I imagine our ginger friend on the left is saying, "Dude, where's my breakfast?" The innocent looking feline in the middle is thinking: "Why doesn't this human put the fire on?" And the grey cat is wishing you would stop whatever pointless activity you're engaged in and set his clockwork mouse going, or dragging a lure across the carpet for him to pounce on.

@ Feline Trio
"I'm going to buy a framed print of that amazing optical illusion, George," said Sofia. "It'll go well with my coffee pot from Turkey, and my origami crane from Japan."
"That sounds like a nice collection of mementoes, Sofia!"

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@ Terracotta Pot in Snow
"I'm going to buy that ceramic plantpot for my Granny, Punky," said Sofia.
"That sounds like a great idea, Sofia—she’ll love it!" replied Punky. "I'm really liking this gift shop!"

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@ Ornate Ceramic Tiling
“You know, I'd love to go to Barcelona to see these works by Gaudi in real life, Sofia,” Shadow said. "It would be amazing!"
“It certainly would, Shadow!" said Sofia. "You'll have to suggest it to Uncle David."

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Delftware Box in Blue and White
An exquisite egg-shaped glazed ceramic Delftware box with its neat little clasp stands ready to guard your treasure! Delftware, also known as Delft Blue is mostly blue and white pottery made in Delft, the Netherlands. Delftware is one of the types of tin-glazed earthenware in which a white glaze is applied, usually decorated with metal oxides, in particular the cobalt oxide that gives the usual blue, and can withstand high firing temperatures, allowing it to be applied under the glaze.

@ Delftware Box in Blue and White
"Did you see this about the Terracotta Army, Sofia? It's a collection of thousands of terracotta sculptures made in the third century BCE to protect the first Emperor of China in the afterlife."
"And discovered by accident in 1974, Paws! It's incredible to think that they were never actually intended to be seen by anyone."

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Fan-Shaped Mosaic Tiling
This is a stunning example of a mosaic of geometrically arranged ceramic tiles making a unique and extremely hard wearing flooring. The word mosaic comes from the Greek mousa, meaning a muse. Mousa is the root for the Late Latin word musivum, signifying "decorations with small set stones”, which relates to the Medieval Latin word musaicum. The word was adapted to the French mosaïque, which means “mosaic work,” before becoming the Middle English word “mosaic” at some stage in the fifteenth century. Phew!

@ Fan-Shaped Mosaic Tiling
Oh look ... you found a truly unique little penguin!

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Bright Mosaic
Mosaic art has been made for a very long time. The earliest known mosaic is from Mesopotamia in the third millennium BCE. It featured stones, shells and ivory. Mosaic work became more complex in Ancient Greece and during the Roman Empire—the Ancient Greeks and Romans created images and patterns as wall art and floor mosaics for large public structures.

@ Bright Mosaic
"I'm going to buy that ceramic plantpot for my Granny, Thurmy," said Sofia.
"That sounds like a great idea, Sofia—she’ll love it!" replied Thurmy. "I'm really liking this gift shop!"

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Ceramic Pizza Plate
This is just the ticket for when enjoying Italy's iconic dish—a splendidly colourful ceramic plate decorated with a generous slice of tomato and mozzarella pizza, black and green olives, fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes and peppers. Buon appetito!

@ Ceramic Pizza Plate
"I'm going to buy that ceramic plantpot for my Granny, Hera," said Sofia.
"That sounds like a great idea, Sofia—she’ll love it!" replied Hera. "I'm really liking this gift shop!"

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@ Stripy Fruit Bowl
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sofia?” Khisanth said.
“It certainly would, Khisanth!" said Sofia.

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@ Swimming Pool Tiling
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sofia?” Josie said.
“It certainly would, Josie!" said Sofia.

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@ Terracotta Trio of Pitchers
“Wow, just look at that ceramic cat, Sofia!” Choose a name said. "If I bought two, I could put one each side of the fireplace. That would be great!"
“It certainly would, Choose a name!" said Sofia.

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@ Earth Tone Tiles
"Did you see this about the Terracotta Army, Sofia? It's a collection of thousands of terracotta sculptures made in the third century BCE to protect the first Emperor of China in the afterlife."
"And discovered by accident in 1974, Choose a name! It's incredible to think that they were never actually intended to be seen by anyone."

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@ Ceramic Coffee Glasses
"I'm going to buy that ceramic plantpot for my Granny, Bridget," said Sofia.
"That sounds like a great idea, Sofia—she’ll love it!" replied Bridget. "I'm really liking this gift shop!"

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@ Ceramic Pots
“You know, I'd love to go to Barcelona to see these works by Gaudi in real life, Sofia,” Amethyst said. "It would be amazing!"
“It certainly would, Amethyst!" said Sofia. "You'll have to suggest it to Uncle David."

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@ Ceramic Fish in Green and Red
"I'm going to buy a framed print of that amazing optical illusion, princess ♥ sparkles," said Sofia. "It'll go well with my coffee pot from Turkey, and my origami crane from Japan."
"That sounds like a nice collection of mementoes, Sofia!"

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@ Tile Design, Bronze and Gold
Sofia has now completed her exploration of Ceramics. As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!

Sofia has enjoyed her tour of Ceramics, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy exotic materials!