| Abstract |
Sago fiber clay is a new media developed for ceramic artwork produced from sago by product and ceramic clay. Sago by product is the fibrous waste obtained after extraction of flour from the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottboll). The sago fibre clay is a blended mixture of the sago by product and ceramic clay using either of the two methods: the solid or sludge methods. The product has advantages over normal clay as it is not only cheaper but stronger, easier to use, more malleable and a little lighter in weight. It can be fired like regular clay, even while it is still wet. The ceramic is more durable than that made of pure clay. As there are abundant sources of sago fibrous waste, currently it does not bring significant monetary gain but the product provides three aspects of commercial value to the sago producers’ community, that is, in the sales of raw materials, production of sago fiber clay and handicrafts artwork. |