Pottery
CHULUCANA POTTERY
Chulucanas is the capital of the Morropon Province in the north of Peru. The people of this region are direct descendants of the Pre-Columbian Tallanes.
This pottery has been made for centuries using traditional artisenal techniques of the Vicus culture (500c.e) , being passed down through generations.
Each piece will go through a dozen steps before completion.
The artisans mould the raw clay using their hands, feet, and special tools. They are submerged for hours in the smoke of burning mango leaves in order to obtain the black/white "negative" technique colour contrast which is characteristic of Chulucanas ceramics, and then polished by hand with rocks to give it a brilliant shine.
They are for decorative purposes only, and not to use to hold water.
Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, and use natural waxes to maintain the polish and shine.
RAKU POTTERY
From humble beginnings as a small craft operation, the production of this "Raku" pottery now employs over 45 people from a small town outside of Cape Town in South Africa.
All the pieces are handmade and hand painted before being fired at 950 degrees celsius.
They are then placed in smouldering sawdust which blackens the crazes. This process is largely uncontrolled and the slight imperfections that appear in the glaze make each piece unique.
