A Brief History

By Tina Howard and Paul Howard

Pottery making is one of the oldest arts of mankind, following close on the heels of the use of stone tools and basketry. About 10,000 or 12,000 B.C., people first discovered the remarkable combination of clay and fire, and the pottery wheel, an amazing technological development, was already in use 6,000 years ago in Egypt. The pottery wheels used by today's potters are little changed from the design of the ancient wheels. No one knows who the first potters were, because, like all great ideas, pottery making spread like wildfire throughout the world. Pottery was one of the earliest manufactured products for barter among tribes, and archaeologists today who excavate a site look among the ruins for pottery wares from other areas, as evidence of active trade among cultures.

Pottery has been made by almost all cultures throughout the history of the world, and the products of each have their own special appeal and unique artistry, but the earliest true masters of the art of pottery were in ancient China. The pottery wheel was introduced there at the dawn of China's history, circa 2,000 B.C., about the same time animals became domesticated. Many ancient artifacts have a surprisingly modern appearance, as the beauty of form and decoration was explored in all its variety. By the 9th century, Chinese potters were marketing the porcelain we still call "chinaware" throughout Asia. European travelers began bringing these wares home, gifts to their Kings and Bishops.

What the King had, the Lords had to have, and what the Lord had, his subjects wanted. What is now known to us as "Chinese Export Ware," was manufactured in Asia specifically for import to Europe. This was the time of the great popularity of celadon (a greenish ceramic glaze) and the blue and white porcelain which remain popular to this day. A huge trade developed between China and European countries.

The demand for oriental pottery and porcelain grew, encouraging the development of small potteries throughout Europe. The demand enabled industry and trade. By the mid 1700's, it filled a unique role in the Industrial Revolution. Hundreds of small potteries popped up in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and England, followed by large factories designed for mass production. No longer were utilitarian wares alone produced, but also frivolous trinkets became commercially successful as the middle class developed and grew financially stable.

The manufacture of pottery in our world is a long, continuous thread through history, and continues unabated today. Regardless of what new materials are introduced, the love for these items, made with the elements of earth, water and fire, never wanes. Whether handcrafted or factory made, the future of pottery may likely continue to play a part in our lives for the next 10,000 years!

This article was written using information from Claywork, by Leon I. Nigrosh; Mindscape Complete Reference Library on CD Rom, Mindscape Inc.; The Practical Book of Chinaware, by Harold Donaldson Eberlein and Roger Wearne Ramsdell; Ancient China, by Edward Schafer and the Editors of Time-Life Books.

The preceding material was written by Tina Howard and Paul Howard. These are the opinions of the authors, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.