CLAY JUG
CLAY JUG
Origins
Pottery has been known in Belarus since the Neolithic period, i.e. about 10,000 BC The very name of the craft comes from the word "horn" ("goran", "garno"), meaning a kiln for firing. Initially, the products were molded by hand without further heat treatment. Gradually, clay became the main component of the molding mass, to which dry grass, bast fibers, crushed shells, and sand were added to increase strength. Pottery has existed as an independent craft in Belarus since the 10th century, when the first pottery circles appeared.
The professionalism of Belarusian potters is evidenced by the fact that for many centuries their products were exported en masse for sale abroad. In the 17th century, our masters were invited to the Moscow state and took part in the decoration of the Intercession Cathedral in Izmailovo, the gateway church of the St.Andrew Monastery, the Terem Palace and the Church of the Savior in the Moscow Kremlin.
Clay harvesting
Clay is the main raw material in pottery. About 400 clay deposits have been identified in Belarus. In the old days, raw materials were mined in an open way, with the help of a shovel, in clays located along the banks of reservoirs, on the slopes of hills, as a rule, at a distance of no more than 2-4 km from the place where the pottery workshop was located. The extracted material was taken to the yard and piled in a heap ("gurbay", "pile") directly on the ground or in an open-air storage built from poles. After that, the raw materials were poured with water and left to sour and freeze until spring or even next fall. Then the clay was brought into the room and laid in a specially designated place called "glinnik", "katukh" or "kotsak".
Added water and a lean component of grit (burnt and ground stones) or sand. These components increased the refractoriness of the clay, making it less "greasy". Then they began to knead it, knead it with legs, hands and various devices (hollows, planes, pushers). The clay was considered ready to work when it turned into a homogeneous dough that snapped underfoot.
Pottery molding
The master places a lump of clay in the center of the rotating potter's wheel, moistens his hands with water and precisely centers the workpiece, since even a slight lateral beating can destroy the future vessel. Further, in the middle of the clay blank, by pressing the thumbs, a recess-puncture is made and a bottom is formed. In the next step, the workpiece is pulled into a cylinder of the desired height. They work, as a rule, with both hands - one inside, the other outside. The arms, between which the cylinder wall is located, move from the bottom upward. At the same time, the master achieves both an increase in the height of the cylinder and a gradual thinning of its walls. Traditionally, the wall thickness for household utensils is about 5 millimeters. During the molding process, hands must be constantly moistened with water so that they glide well on the clay.
A conceived vessel is formed from the resulting cylinder. First, the shape of the base is specified, then, gently pressing on the walls of the cylinder from the inside, the master expands the central part. Further, by pressing from the outside, the shoulder and neck (neck) are formed. The manufacture of the container is completed by molding a slightly thickened rim, which completes the product.
All work is carried out smoothly and in several passes, which guarantees the sufficient strength of the finished dishes.
Drying and firing
Raw ceramics are dried for 2-3 days in the workshop (for this purpose, wooden shelves are erected under the ceiling), and in summer, in dry weather, outside. At the end of the 19th century, clay products were fired in ordinary home ovens or special furnaces of various designs. Such firing was time consuming and required high skill and dexterity. A significant part of the production was often scrapped.
Ceramic processing methods
To impart special properties to fired products, they are subjected to additional processing. Traditionally, the most common were waxing, scalding, fuming, and glass glazing.
Hot waxed ceramics are covered with a layer of beeswax. The wax closes the pores, which makes these utensils suitable for long-term storage of a wide variety of liquids and foods.
Scalded ("pockmarked", "gartavan") ceramics in a red-hot state are immersed for a short time in an acidic solution of rye flour, which leads to the appearance of a unique pattern on the surface and an increase in strength. In the old days, such ceramics were most often used for cooking in the oven.
Blacksmoke ceramics are created by creating a smoky airless environment in a kiln, leading to the reduction of iron and giving the ceramics a bluish black color and special strength.
Glazed ceramics are produced by covering the surface of an already fired product "palivay" based on quartz sand, followed by repeated firing, during which the sand is melted to the state of glass.
Folk beliefs
Historically, clay products have always been endowed with a special meaning. According to popular beliefs, even an ordinary pot often acted as a talisman.
In many villages, jugs, pots and other pottery are still hung on wooden and wicker fences placed around the perimeter of the courtyard. In “remote” villages, Belarusian grandmothers remember this custom and often observe it.
Firstly, this action had a completely utilitarian character. Earthenware, and in particular pots, were hung on the street to dry. It was believed that a poorly dried pot contributes to the appearance of foreign odors and can affect the taste of food or milk poured into it. That is why jugs and pots were hung on the rings of the fence, where the sun's rays heated the clay. In the summer, there was no better place or way to dry dishes. But even here it was not without a special belief. It was believed that the pots hot from the sun absorbed solar energy and transferred it to food or milk, making them even better.
Secondly, earthenware was a rather delicate object, and did not hold dynamic sharp loads well. Often, dishes cracked in the oven from sudden heating or cracked from a variety of other reasons. In everyday life, such things were not used due to the prevailing signs. But due to their thrifty nature, many housewives were in no hurry to throw away the spoiled dishes. Sometimes such vessels were restored by long digestion in milk and strong threading. Many jugs were simply beautiful and, having lost their functional value, did not lose their visual aesthetics and therefore, despite the fact that they were unusable, it was a shame to throw them away. These pots continued their lives on the master's fences.
In the later periods, in the post-war period, when the sacred character of many actions and objects was lost, hanging the pots on the fence posts had only a functional character. They protected the tree from rotting, protecting the most vulnerable upper part of the fence from atmospheric precipitation. For such purposes, any earthen vessel was hung. But earlier traditions and beliefs, which explained the presence of jugs on the fence, were based on the spiritual beliefs of our ancestors.
The pots in the courtyard primarily had a protective function, they protected the house. Even in rainy weather, one or two pots were left as "sentries". And the garden scarecrow with a clay pot instead of a head is the most common protective symbol among all Slavs.
In addition, in the beliefs of the Slavic peoples, a pot hung on a fence should protect chickens from hawks and crows. This was done necessarily on Maundy Thursday before sunrise, when the witchcraft was especially strong. The pot in this case, as it were, absorbed them into itself, received additional magical power.
Earthenware is an environmentally friendly material and has been serving people for many centuries. And today such dishes are very popular. Dishes cooked in clay pots have a unique taste and aroma. Earthenware is indispensable for storing honey, jam, cereals, and milk in an earthen jug can be stored without souring for up to three days. Drinks stay cold longer on hot days. The advantage of earthenware is that it is non-toxic and completely safe and does not react with products, thereby not changing their taste. Even small children can be fed from clay plates and cups.
