What is a Maude cone medium?

A Maude Cone medium, often simply referred to as a Cone medium, is an artistic term referring to a particular type of clay body that has been formulated to mature at specific temperatures which are categorized by cone levels. The term "cone" refers to pyrometric cones that melt at designated temperatures and are used to measure the heatwork in a ceramic kiln. These cones help determine when the clay or glaze has reached its optimal level of maturity during the firing process. A Maude Cone medium would typically be chosen based on the desired characteristics it imparts to the finished piece, such as durability, color, or texture, and according to the type of firing process being used, whether it be low-fire, mid-range, or high-fire applications. It's worth noting that proper usage of this medium requires technical knowledge about kiln temperatures and the specific properties of the clay.