Once Upon a Time
The earliest use of clay was to line woven baskets as a way to waterproof them. These baskets were used to carry water, with the clay lining preventing leakage. After the water was poured out of the container, the loss of moisture would cause the clay to shrink and separate from the sides of the basket, forming the shape of a pot. These pots were then removed and placed on hot sand in the sun to dry out completely, while still retaining the basket pattern.
In prehistoric times, crude clay was used for bricks and tiles, which were then fired to make them resistant — ideal for housing. Finer clays were utilised for pottery. The oldest known pottery objects were found about a decade ago in the Xianrendong Cave, located in the Jiangxi province of China.
Clay Around the Globe
The Egyptians are believed to be the first to have built kilns to fire their clay pots. Further experimentation led them to coat their creations with a bluish-green substance to make them non-porous — in other words, glazing!
This early glaze was composed of quartz, soda and a mineral containing copper which, when fired, covered the clay bowls and vases with a glass-like surface, making them highly functional as well as beautiful. Many of the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians are still employed in pottery-making today.
The Greeks were known for their striking terracotta vases and jars, influencing the pottery traditions of several other cultures. Between the 4th and 6th century BCE, they mastered the art of red-figure pottery, where the background of the vase was coated black and figures were left red.
Japan, too, has an exceptionally long history of ceramics production. Pottery holds an important place in local culture, with high-quality pieces being used extensively in tea ceremonies. Interestingly, accidental effects like finger marks and irregular glazes are often admired by Japanese connoisseurs.
Ceramic Arts at JOALI
At the Art Studio at JOALI Maldives, you can nurture your creativity with a variety of ceramics workshops. Guided by our Resident Ceramic Artist, you can practice techniques like hand-building, wheel pottery and glazing.
Guests have the chance to work with different types of clay at our resort. For low firing, we use a smooth white clay from Turkey that is fired at 1040 degrees. This clay is easy to use and offers a wide range of colour glazes.
For high firing, we have a grey groggy clay, which offers a reliable and resistant body due to the grog (small sand-like grains). We also have smooth brown clay which, when fired, develops a deep black colour. Finally, there is porcelain, a silky material that is strong and delicate at the same time. These clays have a wide range of firing temperatures, although they are typically fired at 1240 degrees.
Meet Our Ceramic Artist
Hailing from Barcelona, Paula Estragués has trained at the Corrie Bain International Ceramics School and Ceramic School La Bisbal in Spain. She is well-versed with ceramic techniques from around the world, from Neriage to Buncheong. She is also adept at building kilns and crafting musical instruments with clay.
For Paula, pottery is a way to connect with what we feel, to express emotions through our hands. She sees ceramicware as a means to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary — “like how a handmade cup elevates the simple act of drinking tea”. And when you make the cup yourself, that moment becomes even more special!
