Clay was initially used as an art form to depict the symbolism and traditional lore held by various cultures, and it was only later on that the value of clay for use as vessels that would hold food and drink became obvious.
Due to a less nomadic lifestyle brought on by the Stone Age, pots as functional ware became more prevalent - obviously a nomadic lifestyle was not conducive to the survival of the fragile nature of clay, fired or not. These settled tribes give us a glimpse into the traditions of these people from the past.
The Stamp of a Culture on its Pots
All cultures, from the earliest times, have decorated their pots in a certain fashion, and clay lasts forever, thus pot shards found at archaeological sites give us a wealth of information on the people who lived there. For example, nearly all of the information we have on the people of Minoan Crete, Europe’s first civilization, comes from their pottery, or what is left of it. Being an island, the people relied heavily on the sea, and thus the sea is commemorated on most of their vessels, in some form or another.
Before the invention of the pottery wheel, hand building methods were used to make the pottery pieces of ancient societies. Coiled, slab-built, moulded and especially ‘pinched’ pots were the order of the day, and it is interesting to note that even before the advent of the wheel, pots were rounded, most probably due to the fact that a ‘pinched’ pot was more easily made into a round shape than any other. Potters were of either sex, in some villages mostly men, and in others women and the potter was a highly respected member of the tribe.
Mesopotamia – Birthplace of the Wheel
With the invention of the potter’s wheel in Mesopotamia, around 6000 – 4000 BC, potters began to see the need for ‘production’ - especially of more utilitarian wares such as storage jars for oil, water, wine, and grain, as well as bowls, cups, and mugs for eating and drinking usage. Initially the ‘wheel’ was a large, heavy stone, which was placed on a pivot and then spun by means of ‘kicking’, or pushing with the feet while in a sitting position. While the stone was building up momentum, the hands were shaping, or ‘throwing’ the pot on top of it.
This discovery meant that many more pots could in fact be made, in the same amount of time. Also, because speed was essential so as to prevent the walls of the vessel from collapsing, the potters became quite adept at throwing. Thus, pots were spontaneous, and each one was unique, although, as the potter became more practised, he also became more skilled at throwing pots of roughly the same shape and size.
See article 'The Origins of Pottery as Sculptural Depictions'
Mellissa Bushby - Mellissa Bushby is an author, illustrator and ceramicist. She studied Fine Art for four years, and her newest book release is January ...
Join the Conversation