Indian Pottery Craft - A Vibrant Handicraft Tradition

By Rajneesh Dubey

Making pots was the earliest vocation of Indians. Many civilizations are named after the type of pottery found. They were made in various colors and material. The primary colors used were red, black, ochre and white. Similarly the designs used were also different and significant. On the basis of clay found in the region of manufacturing they had their own variations.

Pottery was first made by man for utilitarian purpose but in later course when savage mankind transformed into civilized one, this became one of the most sought after vocation. Invention of potter's wheel was a revolutionary development which provided the much needed boost to pottery making.

When the utilitarian purpose of pottery was fully explored, the artistic creativity deviated towards the decorative aspect. Pottery has been used as decorative item for a very long time. The design of the pottery and the impressions made on it reflects the view and disposition of the society of the time. Shape and color of a piece of pottery gives a visual message. This art is most sensual and elegant of all arts. In has to be handled very carefully to make it long lasting.

The glory and chic of the Indian pottery is not diminished at all even today. Different regions of India boast of making different but yet unique pieces of pottery. The same flower pot can be found in an amazing variety of shapes, sizes and designs depending upon the place of its creation.
The diverse nature if Indian handicrafts can be evidently seen in its pottery traditions. Every Indian state is special in its own traditions of pottery be it Bengal and terra cotta, Rajasthan and blue pottery, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other Indian states and their traditions.

Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.india-crafts.com This is a website covering all kinds of art and craft forms of India. Here, you will come to know about jewelry, dresses, sculptures, religions, paintings and various other topics on India. You can see here the lists of the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of an array of handicrafts too.
To know more about Indian pottery, please visit Pottery tradition of India

Valuable Picasso Pottery - It's In The Marks!

By Keith Markensen

Much like a signature on a painting, pottery marks serve to identify where a piece was created, who made it, and what company sold it. The pottery marks aren't obviously placed, as to not overtake the beauty of the piece itself. They are often hidden well inside, making it tough to learn much from them. If you can't find the mark or tell what it means, a pottery expert will be able to locate it and explain to you its significance. The marks are important, so you should certainly look into them on any piece of pottery that you acquire or are looking to purchase.

The marks can be used to help date the piece, which can be especially helpful to historians.
Historians can learn who designed the pieces, when they made it, and where they made it. From this information, they can learn what the culture of the time was like and what the typical living patterns and conditions were. A lot can be learned about the culture by seeing what tools were used to make the pottery as well.

Since you are probably not a historian, this information probably means less to you. It is still interesting to know about, but the main reason looking for marks will help you is to tell what the pottery is worth. A mark can help you determine the value of the pottery in several ways. You have to start by simply finding the mark and assessing what it means. If you can't find it or tell what it means, consult a professional. Once you have a basic understanding of it, you can search pottery databases on the internet to find details about your pottery. These are very helpful tools and you can learn about the work you've bought and find out what it's truly worth. You may have a treasured piece of art and not even know it yet!

Keith Markensen looks at the specialized growing of container gardens and lends his years of landscape experience at www.Plant-Care.com where he shares his professional landscape information.