burnishing

Burnishing is a process of making a surface smooth or glossy, typically by repeatedly applying surface pressure. This technique is used to achieve a lustrous finish on various materials.12

In the context of pottery, burnishing involves polishing or smoothing the clay after it has been fired. This method was used in ancient pottery from regions like Turkey and China, as well as in Inca pottery, to create a polished or red-polished ware.3

Burnishing is also a step in gilding, where after gold leaf is applied, the surface is pounced with cotton to burnish the gold to a high luster. This process enhances the shine and smoothness of the gilded surface.4