Yes, according to the provided reference, leather hard clay is flexible.
Leather hard is a stage in the drying process of clay where much of the water has evaporated, but the clay still retains some moisture. It is firm enough to hold its shape without support, yet still soft enough to carve, trim, and attach pieces.
Flexibility in Practice
While not as pliable as wet, plastic clay, leather hard clay does possess a degree of flexibility that is beneficial in certain pottery techniques.
- Molding: One significant advantage highlighted by the reference is its flexibility when used in molding.
- Ease of Release: The reference states, "The advantage of molding from leather hard clay is the ease of removing the clay from the mold without the need for a mold release. The clay is flexible and does not bind to plaster anyway." This indicates that the flexibility is sufficient to allow the clay to be pulled or lifted from a mold without cracking or sticking, unlike bone-dry clay which would be brittle.
- Trimming and Carving: Its structure allows for precise trimming on a potter's wheel and detailed carving, activities that require the clay to yield slightly without collapsing.
In essence, while not capable of being easily bent or shaped like soft clay, the flexibility of leather hard clay makes it ideal for processes requiring rigidity paired with a slight give, particularly in molding and surface refinement.
