Pottery from Lombok, Indonesia

The Island of Lombok in Indonesia is well known for its clay pottery,
basket making and weaving.  Pottery has been produced in Lombok
since the early 16th century.  Pieces include pitchers,
bowls, flat trays and leaf shaped trays.

Dry clay, grayish-brown in its indigenous form, is
crushed and sifted to produce very fine particles of
clay powder.  It is mixed with water and sand until
it becomes an elastic clay.  

                               Using a rotating device
                               the potters work the clay
                               by hand to the desired shape using a
                               round stone or wooden paddle.  After
                               the surface is smoothed using stone or
                               glass the piece is placed in the sun for
                               up to three days.  The pots are then
                               stacked and firewood and coconut husks
                               are placed underneath and around the
pieces.  The firing process lasts about
2 hours to temperatures of 650 degrees
centigrade.  An Asem solution is applied
which gives it an dark brown with small
dark/brown accent.  Reeds are then
weaved around the edges or handles
            providing the finished
            look.
            These pieces are not
                    food safe or intended to hold water.
Old world
craftsmanship
Pottery
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