Indian Pottery

13 Nov, 2004 in art pottery by admin

Indian Pottery

Indian Handicrafts - The Historical Journey

First archaeologically proved traces of Indian handicrafts belong to the Indus Valley civilization way back in 3000 B.C. During this time Indian craftsmen were doing excellent job in pottery making, bead making, terracotta, jewelry and weaving. The most significant aspect is the technical advancement in the handicrafts field at this time. The archaeologists have excavated many sites like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Chanhudaro, Kotdigy, Dholaveera etc. and they have found numerous artifacts that manifest the skill of the craftsmen at that time.

In Vedic age (1500 B.C. to 700 B.C.) too a lot of advancement in handicrafts had taken place. There is reference of pottery making, weaving wood crafting etc in the Vedas. Rig Veda especially mentions about pottery made from clay, wood and metal. Weaving and weavers also find the reference in these holy texts. In the later Vedic period the principal development was the discovery of iron. This led to the manufacture of iron weapons on mass scale. Craftsmen got a huge exposure and the crafts traditions started to be entrenched in the social structure.

During Maurya period Indian handicrafts reached to perfection in certain art forms especially in stone crafts. After the great transformation of Ashoka from a hardcore imperialist to Buddhist reformist, numerous activities indulging the craftsmen began. It is said that not less than 84000 stupas were build during the reign of Ashoka. Most prominent stupas whose remains are still available are located at Sanchi, Bharhut, Vaishali, Amaravati and Mathura. Similarly the iron pillars of Delhi and Vaishali are the marvelous examples of metallurgy.

In the period followed by the Mauryan, an assimilation of regional influence took place in Indian arts and crafts. Since this period in Indian history was that of political turmoil, not a single dynasty could rule over India for a long time. The attacks of Indo-Greeks, Indo-Bactrians, Shakas and Kushanas made Indian scene topsy-turvy. Handicrafts of this age have direct influences of these invasions from central Asia and other regions. Buddhist sculptures belonging to this age found at Taxila, Begram, Swat Valley, Bamiyan etc. depict these influences clearly. Buddha with curly hair and wrapped in draperies was the result of Greek influence. The main crafts which got maximum influence of the Central Asian invasions were jewelry, sculpture, textile making, leather products and the metal works.

Gupta age has been called classical age of Indian history by historians. The art and crafts domain was also greatly affected by the political stability, efficient ruling, capable administration and the consistent patronage of art and crafts. Fascinating murals of Ajanta and the significant development in the technique and art of sculpture, jewelry making, wood carving stone carving and weaving were the highpoints of this age. Development in science, astrology, astronomy, mathematics, literature and physiology were the other greatest achievements of this time. Stone sculpture and metal sculpture were made maintaining the high standards. The rock cut temples of Ellora are the astonishing examples of stone craft. This structure raises the standard of Indian Crafts to the towering heights.

During Medieval period the onus of development in arts and crafts had been shifted to the southern peninsula of Indian subcontinent. The Chola Empire and Vijaynagara empire wholeheartedly supported the trade and commerce based on the art and crafts of the local artisans. The temples with numerous intricate details were carved. Gems and jewelry was given immense importance. Bronze sculpture and silk weaving craft reached at its zenith. In the Northern region of India, under Delhi Sultanate, the art of pottery making, weaving, wood carving, metal works and jewelry was also flourishing. Under the patronage of Mughal Empire, the art and science of architecture reached to the starry heights. Painting saw its zenith under the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan. School of Mughal paintings influenced other regional painting schools too like Pahari School of Painting, Rajput School of Painting, Kota School of Painting, Boondi School of Painting etc. The art of weaving also flourished during these times. Metallurgy covered several milestones during medieval period and several battles were fought using highly advanced technology in the guns and canons by the standard of that time.

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Thus since Indus valley civilization to the 18th century A.D., Indian Handicrafts evolved to high levels of the perfection and skill. Craft traditions became an integral part of the lifestyle of the people of India. Indian gem stone jewelry became the identity of the people as the caste system in India reserved some handicrafts to certain castes. The people of these castes worked hard to put the innovation and creativity in to the handicrafts as this was the only means for their sustenance.

cherokee indian project?

hi, in my social studies class(8th grade) we were assigned a project where we had to create our own indian artifact, i was assigned the cherokee indians. i made some pottery and totally forgot about the 3 paragraph explaination/history, in this essay i have to explain the signifigance of the artifact. help! does anyone know anything about cherokee indians, i have googled, tried ask, yahoo search and havent found any thing!

I have a book here The Cherokees Past and Present It is An Authentic Guide To The Cherokee People By:J. Ed. Sharpe
Copyright 1970 By: Cherokee Publications

You will have to read this and then make up your paper hope this will help you. This is what is in the book so don't copy it word for word.this is it.
CHEROKEE ARTISTRY & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Over many centuries the Cherokee people developoed an incredible ability to work with their hands. Using native materials to construct useful articles they became artists of distinctive designs and expert craftmen in the the making of jewelry,pottery,baskets,woodwork,and weapons.

Jewelry
The Cherokee, like most of the Indian peoples, made much use of jewelry and ornaments in their hair, on their clothing, and about their necks, wrist, and ankles. In ancient times they used shells, seeds, bone, teeth, stones, and feathers to make such ornaments.
Glass beads were introduced to the Cherokees by the very first explorers, however, and they quickly became expert in devising and executing beautiful and colorful patterns for belts, headbands, and other jewelry.
Beadwork, made in the same artistic and creative way by the Cherokee people, is still available today in areas where the Cherokee live.

POTTERY
Pipes, bowls, jars, pots, and similar items for practical and ceremonial use were made from the native clay. The clay was dug, dried by the fire, and pulverized into powder. The powder was then mixed with water to a consistency suitable for working.
The cherokks never used a potter's wheel, but fashioned their pottery with their fingers, sometimes coiling strips of clay upward from the base to the rim and then blending it together.
A cared wooden paddle was used to imprint designs, and a smooth stone employed to polish the surface, making it waterproof.
The pots were fired outside using bark and native woods. The kind of wood used in the fire determined the color the pot would be. Bran or broken corncobs were thrown into the red-hot pots to smoke them and make them waterproof inside.

BASKETRY
The Cherokees are famous among Indian peopls for their skillful weaving of baskets, and their development of intricate and beautiful patterns for tm. the process of gathering materials for weaving and dying, preparing the materials, and actually weaving baskets of disitnctive design is a difficult and time consuming one.
Materials used by the basketweaver include:Honeysuckle vines, White oak splints, Ash splints ,Rivercane Bark ,Wild Hemp

Dyes from: Blood root, Yellow root Oak and Maple Bark Poison Ivy root Wild Celandine Poppy roots Sassafras root, Walnut bark, Butterfly root

CRAVING
Native wood and stone offeres the Cherokee raw material for the fashioning of masks, pendants, pipes, canoes, weapons and tools. They became quite proficient in the making if such articles. Intricate design were developed as many found ontheir pipestems, pottery, paddles and pendants.
Wood and stone carvers among the cherokee today often get national recognition for thier work. Animal and figurine sculpture is still being made and sold in the Cherokee area. Many craftsmen can be seen at their work at the Oconaluftee Living Indian Village in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Hopi Indian Pottery - Adelle Nampeyo