| 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 other 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 "fashionable" 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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 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. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 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 such as the goddess above are custom designed
and prepared. The Bhairab (directly 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. |
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 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 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 Hindu
god, Ganesh, is being painted as is the flowerpot.
|
| |
|
|
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 ovens 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.
|
|
COLLECTIBLES