Burnish
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Burnishing is a form of pottery decoration in which the surface of the pot is polished, often using a spatula of wood or bone, while it still is in a leathery 'green' state, i.e. before firing. After firing, the surface is extremely shiny. Often the whole outer surface of the pot is thus decorated, but in certain ceramic traditions there is 'pattern burnishing' where the outside and, in the case of open bowls, the inside, are decorated with burnished patterns in which some areas are left matte.
This technique can be applied to concrete masonry units as well, creating a rich, stately appearance that one often can find inside educational facilities, financial institutions and even sporting venues such as Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. This finish works for exterior use as well, the smooth face lending itself to a stunning mix of textures when combined with rougher, splitface block.
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