Origin
The art of pottery has been a part of human culture since time immemorial. The origin of pottery in India can be traced back to the Harappan civilization a.k.a. the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to 3300-1300 BCE. One fascinating chapter in the history of pottery is the inception of blue pottery. Jaipur's blue pottery is widely regarded as the result of a Central Asian artistic tradition going back to the 14th century. The unique style of blue pottery finds its roots in the Turko-Persian tradition. Following this long and delicate technique of crafting, blue pottery experienced a progressive refinement under the patronage of the Mughals. Interestingly, there exists another narrative tale detailing its arrival in the Pink City. This is the tale of Raja Ram Singh II’s chance encounter with the two brothers from Achnera.
Sawai Ram Singh II
Tradition holds that once Sawai Ram Singh II, the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 19th century, attended a kite flying session. In this session, the two brothers of Achnera, a town in Uttar Pradesh, were expertly able to bring down the royal kites flown by the kite masters. Curious about their method, the Maharaja discovered that they were potters who had coated their kite strings with the same blue and green glass that they used for their pottery material. Impressed by this innovative technique, Sawai Singh invited the brothers to stay in Jaipur and teach their distinctive style of glazed pottery at his newly established art school.
This historical meetup not only enriched the artistic tradition of Jaipur but also contributed to the broader narrative of Indian pottery, showcasing the fusion of skills, and cultural exchanges in the Pink City of Rajasthan.
Crafting Blue Pottery:
Crafting Blue Pottery
The origin of the term blue pottery stems from the artisans’ extensive utilization of cobalt blue and imparting a striking hue to the artwork. Adding to its intrigue, blue pottery is reputedly the sole pottery worldwide that omits to incorporate clay! Instead, its crafting entails an amalgamation of elements such as quartz stone powder, powdered glass, fuller earth also known as Multani Mitti, borax, gum (katira gond powder ) and water.
A dough is made out of these elements. Next, the dough is pressed into molds with a mixture of Bajri (stones) and Rakh ( ash). These pieces are then removed from the mold and placed upside down for 1 to 2 days. Once they are dried, the pottery items are cleaned and smoothened using ‘Regmaal’ or sandpaper.
A solution of quartz powder, powdered glass, maida (refined wheat flour), and water is made to dip the items. Handwrought motifs are drawn and coloring is done on the surface once they are dried.
The colors used are primarily a mixture of oxides, so while the predominant blue hue is attained through cobalt oxide, green comes from copper oxide and white. Alongside these conventional shades, the allure of blue pottery is occasionally enhanced by incorporating softer hues of brown and yellow tones, through red copper oxide.The oxides that are used as colors are crushed and mixed with edible gums before being applied. A finishing touch is provided by applying a layer of glaze.
Ultimately, the crafted items undergo the firing process within a sealed kiln, which is fueled by charcoal, and subjected to temperatures ranging from 800 to 850-degree Celsius. Creating blue pottery is indeed a labor-intensive and time-consuming process but the end results are often stunning and unique!
Motifs:
The fame of these blue potteries extends beyond their conventional blue hues, enfolding their enduring, time-honored motifs. They encompass a diverse array of designs, ranging from intricate florals and geometric patterns to depictions of animals and birds. Notably, in Jaipur, one can find illustrations of venerated deities such as Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha. Among these, it is often the flower and animal motifs that hold sway.
These motifs are skillfully incorporated into a wide range of products spanning from functional crockeries to vibrant tiles. These recurrent themes harken back to the Persian style, which was favored in the Mughal court, thus carrying forward an artistic legacy.
- B Dipti, A K Gupta, and R Jain. 2002. “A Historical and Artistic Study of the Blue Pottery of Jaipur.” Interceram 51 (6): 400–403.
- Pandey, Anjali. 2019. “BLUE POTTERY of JAIPUR.” International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH 7 (3): 249–55. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v7.i3.2019.966.
- “Blue Pottery.” 2015. Gaatha.com. April 25, 2015. https://gaatha.com/blue-pottery-jaipur/.
- “Blue Pottery of Jaipur | Blue Pottery History & Shops in Jaipur.” 2017. Rajasthan Direct. April 12, 2017. https://www.rajasthandirect.com/blue-pottery-of-jaipur.
- Krishnan, Anjali. 2022. “Explore India’s Rich Pottery Tradition with 8 Stunning Forms You Should Know About.” The Better India. June 8, 2022. https://www.thebetterindia.com/287886/jaipur-blue-pottery-karnataka-metal-handicraft-india-traditions/.
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