Unknown facets of pottery
On Craftsmen's Day, it's especially important to celebrate those who preserve culture not only in museums and archives, but through the living movement of their hands. In their work, tradition ceases to be something distant: it takes shape again—in pattern, wood, metal, felt, or clay.Pottery is one of the oldest human crafts. A clay vessel could be part of everyday life, a family celebration, a trade route, or a childhood dream. It was used to store water, milk, and kumiss, decorated with ornaments, passed on as gifts, and left behind as a sign of the times.Today, interest in ceramics is growing again. Some come to the potter's wheel to connect with the legacy of their ancestors, others to escape the hustle and bustle and experience how a shapeless lump of clay gradually becomes a work of art. But behind the apparent simplicity of this process lies a whole world—history, technology, patience, and respect for the material. Qazaq Culture spoke with ceramist Nursultan Orynbasaruly about how clay is transformed into a vessel, why ancient ceramics can survive centuries, and which nearly forgotten tradition is being revived by artisans today.– Nursultan, how did you come to pottery?– In my case, it was more by chance. But if you look deeper, my path to art began in childhood. In our family, both my father and mother are artists, both very close to creativity. So, from an early age, I drew, participated in competitions, and gradually became more and more interested in art.My mother works as a teacher in Kyzylorda. She always supported me and made sure I never missed a single creative competition. We also participated in international competitions. Over time, my interest in drawing and art only grew stronger.After finishing my studies, I accidentally saw how clay vessels are made. At first, it was simple curiosity: I wanted to understand how ordinary clay takes shape. But the more I studied this craft, the more new aspects I discovered.Pottery turned out to be much deeper than it seemed at first glance. At some point, I realized that this field had become truly important to me.– Speaking of history, where were the oldest clay vessels found?– The oldest examples of ceramics were found in China and Japan. Later, pottery developed widely in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.In Kazakhstan, the production of clay pottery has been known since the Bronze Age, approximately the second millennium BC. In the Middle Ages, Otyrar, Taraz, Sauran, and other cities were important centers of pottery production.In ancient times, clay was used to create a wide variety of vessels. They were used to store water, kumiss, and other products, for everyday use, and to decorate homes. In addition, artisans created decorative items that could be given as gifts at festivals and celebrations.The development of ceramics was also influenced by the Great Silk Road, which passed through Kazakhstan. Thanks to trade links, the artisans' works spread to different regions, and along with them, technologies, forms, and artistic techniques evolved.Pottery is a craft in which there is no definitive end. There is no point when you can say, "I've mastered it all." Even after five, ten, or twenty years of practice, clay continues to amaze. Each material, each form, each firing provides a new experience.— How could clay vessels survive for centuries?— The main secret to durability is proper firing. For a clay product to last a long time, it must undergo this process.The temperature depends on the type of material. For example, red clay is fired at approximately 1200 degrees Celsius. After this, it becomes a strong and hard ceramic. White clay is softer and more flexible, so it is usually fired at around 800 degrees Celsius.Each material requires its own approach. If the artisan has properly prepared the clay, shaped the piece, dried it, and fired it, the vessel can last a very long time.This is why archaeologists still find ancient pottery that has lain underground for hundreds of years. Such vessels serve as a kind of witness to the past: through them, we can learn how people lived, what they used in everyday life, and what their idea of beauty was.– Interest in pottery is growing today, especially among young people. How, in your opinion, does working with clay benefit people?– It is indeed beneficial, especially for children. There are many nerve endings in the palms and fingers, and working with clay is great for developing fine motor skills.When a person sits at the potter's wheel, they are completely focused on the process. You need to pay attention to the movement of your hands, the shape of the clay, and the balance of the future vessel. At this point, both the hands and the mind are working simultaneously.This practice develops attention, coordination, patience, and perseverance. Pottery is not a craft that thrives on haste. If you rush, the shape can be distorted, the vessel can lose its balance, or it can fail altogether.Therefore, clay teaches calm. It requires precision, concentration, and respect for each step. Perhaps this is why many perceive working with clay as a special kind of meditation.— How are clay vessels created today? Tell us about the main stages.— Our ancestors used a mechanical potter's wheel. Its lower part was moved by foot, and the top part rotated, onto which the clay was placed. The artisan shaped it with his hands.Today, technology has changed. In the 21st century, automated machines are used. But the main principle remains the same: shape is born not by a machine, but by the hands of the artisan, their attention, and their sense of the material.The creation of a vessel begins with centering. The clay must be placed precisely in the center of the rotating wheel and the air must be expelled. This is a crucial step. If the clay is uneven from the start, the vessel will also lose its shape later.Then the artisan shapes the interior: making a depression, defining the bottom, and gradually opening up the sides. After this, the vessel begins to grow upward, creating its height.The next step is creating the basic shape, the so-called body of the vessel. One hand is placed inside, the other outside. Moving together, they expand the clay and form a rounded part.Finally, the neck is created. Here, it's especially important to be careful: don't press down on the clay, but gently guide it upward, gradually narrowing the shape. This is how the familiar silhouette of a jug emerges—with a wide body and a thin neck.—What determines how long such a vessel can last?—It all depends on how correctly the artisan performs each step. If the technique is followed, the vessel will be strong and durable.But it's important to understand: creating the shape is only half the battle. Drying and firing are equally important. Firing is what makes clay durable and allows the piece to last for many years.If a craftsman knows the material well and follows all the requirements, their piece can last for hundreds of years. This is confirmed by archaeological finds. Many ancient vessels have lain underground for centuries and survived to this day almost intact.Therefore, in pottery, no detail is left to chance. The quality of the clay, the thickness of the walls, the temperature, the firing time, and the experience of the craftsman are all important.– Besides classic jugs, what other types of pieces do you create?– When the Qazaq Ceramics Burabay studio opened in the ethno-village, we began studying the types of ceramics that artisans had created in the past. During this work, we discovered a very interesting tradition.It turns out that in the past, people made not only large vessels for water, kumiss, or food. There were also very small jugs, approximately four to five centimeters in size. They were called "sybdyr kumyra." According to some sources, such jugs were given to children under thirteen during holidays and celebrations. They were considered traditional gifts alongside asyks and kamcha.Later, we began to explore the origins of their name. Children decorated their small jugs with paint, painted designs on them, and then whispered their deepest dreams and wishes into them. That's why they were popularly called "sybdyr kumyra"—a jug entrusted with a dream.Today, this tradition is almost forgotten. In our studio, we strive to bring it back into modern life. It's important to us that children not only mold a small vessel, but also learn about the culture, customs, and worldview of their ancestors through this process.Sometimes, it's these simple things that best help them connect with their heritage. A small clay jug can teach a child much more about tradition than a long lecture. And perhaps this is precisely the main strength of craft: it preserves memory not in words, but in a form that can be created with one's own hands.
