In this article we will learn what pottery is and what the things we can make through it are.
The art of making useful things from clay is called pottery. All pottery objects are made of clay. Clay is a sticky, wet type of soil. When it is baked in an oven, it becomes hard. A special oven called `kiln’ is used for this purpose. Bricks are also made strong by baking in fire kilns.
Need pottery
The need or pots began when humans started practicing agriculture. Humans stated producing grains in large quantity. For storing these food grains, they needed some big pots. Later, people began to make pots different shapes and sizes to cook and serve food.
Earlier, humans used to make pots of clay by pinching or coiling the clay into shape with their hands. They were then bird dried and put into fire to make them stronger. Later on, the potter’s wheel was invented.
How are pots made on a potter’s wheel?
A piece of clay is placed on a flat round disc called the potter’s wheel. The wheel is spun round. As the wheel spins, the potter pulls the clay upwards to give a shape. The wheel helps to give the pot a shape. It is then removed from the wheel by placing a thin wire under it. It is then fired in a kiln.
Glaze pottery
The potter often gives the pot a shiny coating called glaze. Glaze gives colors to the pots and makes them smooth and waterproof.
Different type of pots
New pot water is very cool.
Coil pots- rings are made by making coils of clay. These rings are placed one above the other to make a pot.
Pinch pots- the shape to the pot is given by pinching the clay between the fingers and thumb.
Basket pots- clay is put in a basket and then the pot is made. When it is placed in fire, the basket gets burnt and the pot retains the shape of the basket.
Things made of clay
We use things such as gharas, gamlas, handi, diyas and kulhads. These are all made of clay. Children play with toys made from clay. Ghatam, a musical instrument, is made of clay.
Pottery famous in India
Paper –thin pottery- these pots are of unglazed variety. Kutch, Kanpur and Alwar are famous for paper –thin pottery.
Black pottery- Kangra is famous for black pottery. Nizamabad in utter Pradesh is famous for black pottery with silver designs on it.
Thin pottery- Meerut is famous for thin necked water containers called surahis. They have a variety of designs and size.
Glazed pottery- Delhi, Amritsar and Jaipur are famous for glazed pottery. These pots have white background and blue-green patterns are made on them.
Knead clay to make a big ball. Using your thumb, make a small hole in the centre by pressing so that it looks like a bowl. Leave it to dry.