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{{Short description|Traditional craft from Jaipur, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
[[File:Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum JEG1715.JPG|thumb|Examples in a museum]]
'''Blue pottery''' is widely recognized as a traditional craft of [[Jaipur]] of Central Asian origin.<ref name="Kapoor2002">{{cite book|author=Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfyA327hG8EC|accessdate=23 April 2012|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-257-7|page=935|chapter=Blue Pottery of Jaipur}}</ref> The name 'blue pottery' comes from the eye-catching [[cobalt]] blue dye used to colour the pottery. It is one of many [[Eurasia]]n types of [[blue and white pottery]], and related in the shapes and decoration to [[Islamic pottery]].

Jaipur blue pottery has been strongly influenced by the Persian ceramic style but it has developed its own designs and motifs. Inspired more from nature, the pottery is adorned profusely with animals, birds and flowers with a hint of Persian geometric design in the compositions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Taknet |first=DK |title=Jaipur: Gem of India |publisher=IntegralDMS |date=July 2016 |isbn=9781942322054}}</ref> Some of this pottery is semi-transparent and mostly decorated with Mughal [[arabesque]] patterns and bird and other animal [[Motif (visual arts)|motifs]].

Jaipur blue pottery, made out of ceramic [[frit]] material similar to Egyptian [[faience]], is glazed and low-fired. No clay is used: the 'dough' for the pottery is prepared by mixing [[quartz]] stone powder, powdered glass, multani mitti ([[fuller's earth]]), [[borax]], [[natural gum|gum]] and water.<ref name="Kapoor2002"></ref> Another source cites ''[[tragacanth|Katira Gond]]'' powder (a gum), and ''saaji'' ([[soda bicarbonate]]) as ingredients.<ref>{{cite web|title=Craftmark Certified Processes: Blue Pottery |url=http://www.aiacaonline.org/craftmark-certified-processes-blue-pottery.asp?links=craftm6 |publisher=All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723221348/http://www.aiacaonline.org/craftmark-certified-processes-blue-pottery.asp?links=craftm6 |archivedate=23 July 2015 }}</ref> Like pottery it is fired only once. The biggest advantage is that blue pottery does not develop any cracks, and blue pottery is also impervious, hygienic, and suitable for daily use. Blue pottery is beautifully decorated with the brush when the pot is rotated.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Blue Pottery - Rajasthan Industries |url=https://industries.rajasthan.gov.in/content/industries/handmadeinrajasthandepartment/artandcraft/bluepottery/bluepottery.html#:~:text=The%20blue%20colour%20or%20turquoise,patterns%2C%20animal%20and%20bird%20motifs. |access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> Thus it has great utilitarian as well as aesthetic significance.

Being fired at very low temperature makes them fragile. The range of items is primarily decorative, such as [[ashtray]]s, [[vases]], [[Drink coaster|coasters]], small bowls and boxes for [[wikt:trinket|trinket]]s. The colour palette is restricted to blue derived from the [[cobaltous oxide|cobalt oxide]], green from the [[Copper(I) oxide|copper oxide]] and white, though other non-conventional colours, such as yellow and brown are sometimes included.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Museum |first=Alankar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsdbAyBU1kQC |title=Tryst with Tradition: Exploring Rajasthan Through the Alankar Museum, Jawahar Kala Kendra |date=2011 |publisher=Jawahar Kala Kendra |language=en}}</ref> The products made include plates, flower vases, soap dishes, surahis (small pitcher), trays, coasters, fruit bowls, door knobs, and glazed tiles with hand painted floral designs. Sometimes, designer pieces for display are also made. The craft is found mainly in Jaipur, but also in Sanganer, Mahalan, and Neota.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Pottery - Rajasthan Industires |url=https://industries.rajasthan.gov.in/content/industries/handmadeinrajasthandepartment/artandcraft/bluepottery/bluepottery.html#:~:text=The%20blue%20colour%20or%20turquoise,patterns%2C%20animal%20and%20bird%20motifs. |access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Blue Pottery Dholak, Jaipur.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery Decorative Dholak, Jaipur]]
[[File:Blue Pottery Designer Vase.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery Designer Vase, Jaipur]]

==History==

[[File:Meiping vase, Chinese, Ming Dynasty, 16th century CE. Arabic inscription. Porcelain with underglaze blue and small touches of overglaze enamel. Burrell Collection, Glasgow.jpg|thumb|16th-century Ming dynasty porcelain with underglaze blue and [[Arabic]] inscriptions.]]
[[File:Jaipur Blue Pottery Vase with Raja-Rani Design.jpg|thumb|Famous Raja Rani (King Queen) Vase of Jaipur School, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[Blue and white pottery|Blue and white wares]] first appeared in Iraq under the [[Abbasid Caliphate]]. The use of cobalt as an underglaze color was introduced to China from Iraq, where Abbasid potters had been using it on white glazed earthenware since the 9th century. In China, it was first applied to earthenware during the [[Tang dynasty]] (618–907 CE) and subsequently to porcelain.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bloom |first1=Jonathan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=un4WcfEASZwC&dq=Blue+and+white+porcelain+first+iraq&pg=PA292 |title=Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture: Three-Volume Set |last2=Blair |first2=Sheila |date=2009-05-14 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-530991-1 |language=en}}</ref> The blue glaze on pottery was later used by Mongol artisans who combined Chinese glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. This technique traveled east to India with early [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] conquests in the 14th century. During its infancy, it was used to make tiles to decorate [[mosques]], [[Tomb|tombs]] and [[palaces]] in [[Central Asia]]. Later, following their conquests and arrival in India, the [[Mughals]] began using them in India. Gradually the blue glaze technique grew beyond an architectural accessory to Indian potters.<ref name="LuKs001">{{cite book|author=Subodh Kapoor|title=Statement of Case for Blue Pottery of Jaipur in Rajasthan|url=http://ipindiaservices.gov.in/GI_DOC/540/540%20-%20Statement%20of%20Case%20-%2028-12-2015.pdf|accessdate=9 December 2017|publisher=Govt. of India|page=25|chapter=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123629/http://ipindiaservices.gov.in/GI_DOC/540/540%20-%20Statement%20of%20Case%20-%2028-12-2015.pdf|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> From there, the technique traveled to the plains of [[Delhi]] and in the 17th century went to Jaipur.<ref name="LuKs001"></ref>

Other accounts of the craft state that blue pottery came to Jaipur in the early 19th century under the ruler [[Sawai Ram Singh II]] (1835–1880).<ref name="Kapoor2002"/> The Jaipur king had sent local artisans to Delhi to be trained in the craft. Some specimens of older ceramic work can be seen in the [[Rambagh Palace]], where the fountains are lined with blue tiles. Sawai Ram Singh, in his reign (1835–1880), promoted art in Jaipur state with dedication. Legend says that impressed by the art of blue pottery, he brought artists from Delhi to Jaipur. However, Jaipur blue pottery introduced original innovations and mastered the art in such a way that it was claimed to have surpassed the Delhi pottery. Back in 1916, ''The Journal of Indian Art'' recorded that Jaipur ware was an improvement upon Delhi pottery.<ref>Notes on Jaipur Pottery. The Journal of Indian Art, 1886-1916; London Vol. 17, Iss. 129-136, (Oct 1916): 27–34.</ref> His successor [[Madho Singh II|Sawai Madho Singh]] patronized an exhibition of industrial arts and crafts in 1883 in which finest blue pottery pieces were exhibited with other arts and crafts.<ref>Tillotson, G. (2004). The Jaipur Exhibition of 1883. ''Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society'', ''14''(2), 111–126. </ref> Prized possessions of the exhibition were displayed in a museum like space in the exhibition. Many of artisans had been trained in the school of art opened by Sawai Ram Singh and the then director of the school, Opendronath Sen, who had worked particularly to promote the blue pottery, was also happy to see it being showcased in the exhibition.<ref>Tillotson, G. (2004). The Jaipur Exhibition of 1883. ''Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society'', ''14''(2), 111–126. </ref> Jaipur School indigenised the art of Blue Pottery through designs that were drawn from Indian life like Indian animals, Hindu deities, Indian human figures, features of Indian palaces etc.
[[File:Blue Pottery Jaipur Collection.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery Collection, Jaipur School, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Blue pottery pilgrim flask.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery Pilgrim Flask with Animals at [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Small Vase with leaf shaped handles.jpg|thumb|Vase depicted Indian Palace Design at [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Saraswati Piligrim Flask.jpg|thumb|Goddess Saraswati on Pilgrim Flask, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Hanuman Flask.jpg|thumb|Deity Hanuman on a Flask, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Ganesha Pilgrim Flask.jpg|thumb|Lord Ganesha on a Flask, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]
[[File:Narsimha Flask.jpg|thumb|Narsimha Flask, [[Albert Hall Museum]]]]

However, by the 1950s, blue pottery had all but vanished from Jaipur, when it was re-introduced through the efforts of the muralist and painter [[Kripal Singh Shekhawat]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Blue Pottery |url=http://www.aiacaonline.org/pdf/blue-pottery-extended-documentation.pdf |publisher=All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801084709/http://www.aiacaonline.org/pdf/blue-pottery-extended-documentation.pdf |archivedate=1 August 2015 }}</ref> with the support of patrons such as [[Kamladevi Chattopadhaya]] and Rajmata [[Gayatri Devi]].<ref name="Kapoor2002"></ref> Today, blue pottery is an industry that provides livelihood to many people in Jaipur. Jaipur blue pottery, despite new innovations in vessels and designs, has retained the traditional blue and adheres to the traditional motifs rendering it instantly recognisable. The fountains inside the Polo Bar and the Maharani Suite within the Rambagh Palace complex are examples of some of the finest craftsmanship of Jaipur Blue Pottery and evidence the support of royal patronage to the art.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Blue pottery from Jaipur 4.jpg|thumb|Contemporary blue pottery products, Jaipur]]

== Process ==
Making blue pottery is a complex and time-intensive procedure and is done in many steps. Being fired at very low temperature makes the process a fragile one, fraught with risks and requires practice, patience, and expertise. The absence of clay is what distinguishes blue pottery from traditional pottery. The materials used to make blue pottery are quartz stone powder, powdered glass, [[borax]], gum, and Multani mitti ([[fuller's earth]]). They are kneaded into a dough by mixing together and adding water. The moulding dough is rolled and flattened into a 4–5 millimetre thick 'Chapatti' (pancake) and placed in moulds with a mixture of pebbles and ash. Moulds, made from Plaster of Paris (POP), are maintained with care to enable multiple use. The mould is turned upside down and removed and the product is left for drying for 1–2 days. After cleaning and shaping the pottery, the surface is polished with sandpaper. This step smoothens the product and makes it ready for painting. After painting motifs over it and adding a final coat of glaze, the fully dried product is ready to get in furnace.
[[File:Blue Pottery Making Process.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery design being sketched and painted before glazing]]
[[File:Blue Pottery painted object.jpg|thumb|Blue Pottery Painted, ready to go into the furnace]]
The artisans traditionally used to offer prayers before they would set up the furnace. Some artists even today continue the practice to pray for successful baking of pottery. Preparing a furnace for the firing of the pottery is a delicate process, and any misstep can lead to cracks in the product. The products are kept inside a furnace to dry. For approximately 4–5 hours firing of the pieces takes place with meticulous care to maintain even temperatures to avert any cracks. Before taking out the products, the artisans wait for the kiln to cool off completely. It might take 2–3 days before the products can be taken out. The finished products are lightly cleaned before they are showcased or packaged.<ref>{{Cite web |last=shubhangi |date=2016-03-04 |title=Making Process |url=https://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jaipur-rajasthan-0/making-process |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=D'Source |language=en}}</ref>

== Revival ==
Jaipur's blue pottery has evolved significantly in terms of materials, styles, and forms. The raw materials used and making processes have changed over the years. Previously, the glazed coating used on pottery contained lead but an increasing awareness of harmful effects has led to lead-free production. In many places, diesel furnaces are being used instead of traditional wood or charcoal-fueled kilns. Even the designs and motifs are moving away from classical repertoire to cater to modern sensibilities and market demands. The revival of Jaipur blue pottery art owes a lot to the artist [[Kripal Singh Shekhawat]]. Seeing the dwindling interest in the art, and deplorable state of the artists, he made it his mission in reviving the art. He garnered the support of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur and others to give a fillip to the dying art of Jaipur blue pottery.

In its new lease of life many blue pottery shops and training schools have sprung up in Jaipur. Kripal Kumbh, the pottery studio founded by Kripal Singh Shekhawat is still in operation. Established in 1995, Rural Non-farm Development Agency (RUDA) aims to promote artisans of Rajasthan at the global level has also contributed to promote blue pottery of Jaipur.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-20 |title=Colour me bright & blue |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/530097/colour-me-bright-blue.html |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> Leela Bordia with ceramic training from US extended the art of blue pottery to beads, necklace, pendants and other ornament-like items. Her inventory also included items like tiles, bathroom fittings etc. that gained popularity with interior decorators.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gupta |first=Anil K. |title=A Historical and Artistic Study of the Blue Pottery of Jaipur |url=https://www.academia.edu/42708064|date= 2002|journal=Interceram: International Ceramic Review|volume=51|issue=6|pages=400–403|s2cid=190196201|issn=0020-5214}}</ref> It has been suggested that to revive and promote the art of blue pottery, sustained efforts are required to train the artists to use standardized tools, diversify into utility products by moving beyond decorative ones, and to assist and enable marketing avenues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Pottery by BIJO JOSEPH PURACKAL - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/bijojoseph7/docs/blue_pottery_last_final_final |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=issuu.com |date=18 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

A notable training center in Jaipur is Sawai Ram Singh Shilp Kala Mandir,<ref name=":0" /> but many artists also conduct short training programmes at their workshops to sustain the legacy of Jaipur blue pottery.
==See also==
* [[Blue and white pottery]]
* [[Fritware]]
* [[Egyptian faience]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Rajasthani arts]]
[[Category:Indian pottery]]
[[Category:Culture of Jaipur]]
[[Category:Indian handicrafts]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Rajasthan]]

Blue pottery of Jaipur - Revision history

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