Definition[edit]
Two panels of glazed earthenware tiles painted with polychrome glazes over a white glaze. (19th century)
Earthenware is a type of ceramic that when fired is opaque and non-vitreous,[2] soft and capable of being scratched with a knife.[3] The Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities describes it as being made of selected clays sometimes mixed with feldspars and varying amounts of other minerals and white or light-colored (i.e., slightly greyish, cream or ivory).[2] ASTM International says it is "a glazed or unglazed nonvitreous ceramic whiteware".[4] It is very often glazed and may be painted.
Terracotta is a term used for sculpture and utilitarian objects such as plant pots, tiles, and drainage pipes made of earthenware.