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TERRA
COTTA PROCESS |
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| A
Potter's Day |
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| Terra
cotta mastery has played an important role in the development
of the human civilization. While primitive terra cotta products
are no longer in use in many developed nations, households in
Nepal still use pots, jars, lamps, and many others items made
by the potter every day. While such use is in decline in cities,
there are some in the industry who are becoming specialized
in higher quality products that have gained the "fashinable"
status. Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu cities are seeing an
upsurge of traditional architecture that depends on terra cotta
products. In the villages, such products are not a choice but
a necessity. This feature looks at the process used to create
terra cotta products and art in Nepal. |
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| Compact
black clay is believed to be the best by the traditional potter.
Thimi and Harisiddhi are famous for this type of soil. Such
clay requires very little filtering and often retains much moisture
in its natural state. Water is added to the clay and allowed
to stand for several days. Feet and then hands are used to knead
the clay. The wheel is often made of solid wood. Pots, jars,
basins, and lamps are used day to day in many households. |
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| Items
to be used for decor, temples, or special occasions require
greater attention to detail. Patterns and images can be added
on the wheel or the base image can be worked upon by artisans.
Religious motifs, images, and other details are cut, mounted,
or shaped by hand. While it is men that work the wheel, it is
often women who are seen working on the details. Once the image
is worked upon, it is set to dry. |
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| Panels
such as the ones in the first picture above are created en masse.
They may be used to create tiles for temple walls, flowerpots,
or hangings. Special products as as the goddess above are custom
designed and prepared. The Bhairab (above, last) is a one time
effort. Once the clay loses adequate amount of moisture, paint
is added to the image and set to dry. The processing system
in Nepal is still in its primitive stage. Most of the work has
been done manually by the artisans themselves. |
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| The
products have been sealed in the oven. The oven is fueled by
husk, straw, and wood. Some products need a week to ten days
of baking. Note that the oven does not have a door, it is sealed
by bricks layered over by mud. Underbaked or overbaked products
do not a fetch a high price in the market, particuarly if they
are utility items and faults cannot be painted over. The Buddha
head above is underbaked. The ganesh is being painted as is
the flowerpot. |
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| These
Buddhas are ready for the showroom. Except for unique cases,
showrooms are owned by individuals who have worked as potters
themselves. While they struggle to create a market and understand
promotion and outreach, improve their oven and technologies,
many of them find their work growing but threatened by cheaper
goods coming into the country from a highly organized Indian
terra cotta industry. |
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