Clay and Terracotta
This is amongst the oldest and most widespread form of handicrafts. Historical records of prehistoric era have been found in the remains of pottery. It is believed to have existed since 7000 BC in the Neolithic period. Apart from the popular terracotta or fired clay products, other products are the stoneware which are fired at over 1150 degree C.The translucent form, also known as porcelain is also very popular.
The raw material for this craft is ordinary clay, derived from the beds of water bodies like river, lakes and ponds. The clay is cleaned, mixed and ten shaped either by hand, wheel or molded into desired object. The items are dried, fired and glazed as per the requirements. The clay or terracotta products are graded according to their color, strength and water absorption capacity.
Terracotta- Terracotta of Kutch is famous for its lovely craft workmanship. Artists here dry the clay in the bright sunlight and later these articles are painted and baked. Thanagarh is famous for...
Votive terracotta figures are found widely in the districts of Bastar, Jhabua, Sarguja, Raigarh, and Mandla. Clay icons are placed on the borders of villages to ward off evil spirits, to appease and...
Clay and terracotta articles, including toys, are produced as ritual items for decoration and are also used to craft utilitarian items.
Delhi artists who have migrated from different parts of the states produce traditional terracotta craft in the most traditional way. A variety of earthen objects such as cut-work lamps, money banks,...
Clay figures are made all over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Traditionally each village is guarded at its entrance by an enormous terracotta horse, which is the horse of Ayyanaar, a religious figure,...
Now a languishing craft, this blue pottery is made only by a single family who can trace their lineage back to the Mughals. Blue pottery, characterised by an unusual turquoise aqua blue colour, had...
This kind of pottery falls under the glazed pottery category. The colours are shades of blue and brown with which designs are done on white or cream surfaces. The products made include cups, saucers...
Among the clay products of Uttar Pradesh, pottery of Gorakpur is very famous. The potters of this region make animal figures like horses and elephants with hand-appliqu?d ornamentation. Figures of...
Indian Black Pottery is made at Nizamad in Azamgarh district. The products made include Vases, Cups and Saucers, Water Jugs, Plates, Jars, and Flower Pots The lustrous black pottery is rubbed with...
Manipuri pottery is unique in style and technique. Unlike in other parts of India, the craft is practised both by men and women. The potters of this area do not use a wheel and, instead, use the...
The main pottery centres in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Sikar, Sawaimadhopur Ajmer,and Bharatpur, The artists of Jallore and Ahora districts are very religious and make beautiful terracotta horses for...
Terracotta roof tiles of Orissa are found predominantly in the Sambalpur district and are made partially by hand and partially on wheels. Black and red clay is mixed to make roof tiles of terracotta...
Traditionally the pots and the other items are made on the wheel. Clay is the main raw material which is found locally. Crafts persons design their items over the spinning wheel using the magic of...
This work is traditionally done by the tribal. They use special type of clay and design to match their skills. Popular items are roof tiles and utensils such as plates, khullars or the earthen tea...
Khurja in Uttar Pradesh is famous for ceramic pottery. The pottery, done with relief work, uses earth colours like orange, brown, and terracotta, worked on to a white background. The products made...
The finest patterns of terracotta panels can be found in Bengal towns of Murshidabad, Birbhaum, Jessore, Hooghly and Digha. The theme is generally folk and the patterns are fairly highlighted with...
Lean type of porous clay sourced from the beds of tanks is used for jewelry. The clay is then dried in the sun, crushed and finally put in tubs of water. Once stirred well, it is filtered through...
Terracotta- Terracotta of Kutch is famous for its lovely craft workmanship. Artists here dry the clay in the bright sunlight and later these articles are painted and baked. Thanagarh is famous for...
Hukka, chillums or the smoking pipes are very commonly used by the men and the women folk of this state. These hukkas are made out of clay and has an earthen pot in the centre where the smoking...
In south India terracotta pottery has maintained its traditional as well as commercial value. Food cooked in the pottery is considered good for health. Red clay is commonly used in designing images...
The Persian Art of blue pottery came to Jaipur from Persia and Afghanistan via Mughal Courts.Blue Pottery is made from quartz and not clay. Materials that are used include quartz, raw glaze, sodium...
The main centres of attraction for this craft are Mohali, Ropar, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur and the products include matkas, flower pots, diyas, miniature temple structures and toys that are beautified...
Haryana produces a large variety of terracotta products such as lamps, pitchers, flower vases, pots, musical instruments, clay toys, goblets, human and animal figures, plaques, medallions, and wall...
Southern India has its own distinctive glazed pottery. Vellore in North Arcot district has a tradition of black and red pottery. Usilampatti in Madurai district has black pottery painted over with...
The potter?s community known as Kumhars is generally found in large settlements of Jharkhand. There are wide varieties of items made for household use to decorative items. A large size pot is very...
