Blue Pottery of Jaipur

2021-06-17T03:18:04Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
[[File:Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum JEG1715.JPG|thumb|Examples in a museum]]
'''Blue Pottery''' is widely recognized as a traditional craft of [[Jaipur]] of Central Asian origin.<ref name="Kapoor2002">{{cite book|author=Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfyA327hG8EC|accessdate=23 April 2012|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-257-7|page=935|chapter=Blue Pottery of Jaipur}}</ref> The name 'blue pottery' comes from the eye-catching [[cobalt]] blue dye used to color the pottery. It is one of many [[Eurasia]]n types of [[blue and white pottery]], and related in the shapes and decoration to [[Islamic pottery]] and, more distantly, [[Chinese pottery]].

Jaipur blue pottery, made out of a similar [[frit]] material to [[faience]], is glazed and low-fired. No clay is used: the 'dough' for the pottery is prepared by mixing quartz stone powder, powdered glass, Multani Mitti ([[Fuller's Earth]]), borax, gum and water.<ref name="Kapoor2002"></ref> Another source cites ''Katira Gond'' powder (a gum), and ''saaji'' (soda bicarbonate) as ingredients.<ref>{{cite web|title=Craftmark Certified Processes: Blue Pottery |url=http://www.aiacaonline.org/craftmark-certified-processes-blue-pottery.asp?links=craftm6 |publisher=All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723221348/http://www.aiacaonline.org/craftmark-certified-processes-blue-pottery.asp?links=craftm6 |archivedate=23 July 2015 }}</ref>

Some of this pottery is semi-transparent and mostly decorated with bird and other animal [[Motif (visual arts)|motifs]]. Being fired at very low temperature makes them fragile. The range of items is primarily decorative, such as [[ashtray]]s, [[vases]], [[coasters]], small bowls and boxes for [[wikt:trinket|trinket]]s. The colour palette is restricted to blue derived from the [[cobaltous oxide|cobalt oxide]], green from the [[Copper(I) oxide|copper oxide]] and white, though other non-conventional colours, such as yellow and brown are sometimes included.{{fact|date=September 2018}}

==History==
The use of blue glaze on pottery is an imported technique, first developed by [[Mongol]] [[artisans]] who combined [[China|Chinese]] glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. This technique traveled east to India with early [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] conquests in the 14th century. During its infancy, it was used to make tiles to decorate [[mosques]], [[tombs]] and [[palaces]] in [[Central Asia]]. Later, following their conquests and arrival in India, the [[Mughals]] began using them in India. Gradually the blue glaze technique grew beyond an architectural accessory to Indian potters.<ref name="LuKs001">{{cite book|author=Subodh Kapoor|title=STATEMENT OF CASE FOR BLUE POTTERY OF JAIPUR IN RAJASTHAN|url=http://ipindiaservices.gov.in/GI_DOC/540/540%20-%20Statement%20of%20Case%20-%2028-12-2015.pdf|accessdate=9 December 2017|publisher=Govt. of India|page=25|chapter=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123629/http://ipindiaservices.gov.in/GI_DOC/540/540%20-%20Statement%20of%20Case%20-%2028-12-2015.pdf|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> From there, the technique traveled to the plains of [[Delhi]] and in the 17th century went to Jaipur.<ref name="LuKs001"></ref>

Other accounts of the craft state that blue pottery came to Jaipur in the early 19th century under the ruler [[Sawai Ram Singh II]](1835 – 1880).<ref name="Kapoor2002"></ref> The Jaipur king had sent local artisans to Delhi to be trained in the craft. Some specimens of older ceramic work can be seen in the [[Rambagh Palace]], where the fountains are lined with blue tiles. However, by the 1950s, blue pottery had all but vanished from Jaipur, when it was re-introduced through the efforts of the muralist and painter [[Kripal Singh Shekhawat]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Blue Pottery |url=http://www.aiacaonline.org/pdf/blue-pottery-extended-documentation.pdf |publisher=All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801084709/http://www.aiacaonline.org/pdf/blue-pottery-extended-documentation.pdf |archivedate=1 August 2015 }}</ref> with the support of patrons such as [[Kamladevi Chattopadhaya]] and Rajmata [[Gayatri Devi]].<ref name="Kapoor2002"></ref>

Today, blue pottery is an industry that provides livelihood to many people in Jaipur. The traditional designs have been adopted, and now, apart from the usual [[urns]], jars, pots and vases, you can find [[tea set]]s, [[Teacup|cups]] and [[saucer]]s, plates and glasses, jugs, ashtrays and [[napkin ring]]s.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://artycraftz.in/ Marketplace for Indian Handicrafts]

[[Category:Rajasthani arts]]
[[Category:Indian pottery]]
[[Category:Culture of Jaipur]]
[[Category:Indian handicrafts]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Rajasthan]]

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Blue Pottery of Jaipur