Pakistan pottery struggles to compete with mass production

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LAHORE — The art of pottery-making is fading due to decreasing demand that has reduced the already low earnings of potters further, as a result of the influx of metal, plastic and china clay products.

Making clay pottery is one of the oldest occupations of mankind and the potter’s wheel is probably one of humanity’s earliest inventions. Over generations, pottery making has evolved from a simple craft into a highly specialized aesthetic expression.

“Like most vocations, pottery making is a hereditary and monopolistic occupation,” said Saidu. “It’s a family enterprise,” said the white-bearded craftsman. “While men prepare the clay, work the moulding, and fire the pottery, women and children embellish it with motifs while glazing.”

“The potter caste is integral to the working class, and over time has become cultural trait of a historic tradition,” said Kaku, another potter.

The potters traditionally focused on mass production, firing up to 1000 pots in one kiln load, and then selling them in bulk to local buyers. Prices varied depending on the size and the quality.

“Low income persons are our main customers; they can’t afford contemporary utensils,” he said. “Because they don’t demand high quality workmanship, pottery making has slipped into complacency.”

“In Pakistan, the field of ceramics remains largely neglected. Institutions and colleges, with the exception of the National College of Arts (Lahore), allocate little to this area of study.” said Niilofur Farrukh, an art critic.

“Some [students] however, have greatly benefited from interacting with local craft potters whose earthenware pots, toys and other utilitarian vessels still fire the imagination of many modern ceramists’ whose works are intended primarily for collectors.

Earthen pottery for cooking is an art that has almost vanished in modern times.