Our stoneware ceramics are handmade in the Newar village of Thimi in Nepal, which is known for its pottery made with artisanal skills passed down from one generation to the next and using locally sourced red clay specific to that area of the valley.
Our stoneware is made from non-porous clay, with decorative glaze colours, fired at high temperatures of 1200-1280 degrees Celsius. Stoneware is very strong and doesn’t scratch or chip easily and as it is waterproof, it is microwave and dishwasher safe – yay!
These days, in the ceramics workshop, the clay is mixed in a mixing machine and the finished pieces are fired in large kilns, though every piece is still made by hand and left to dry in the sun. The skilled artisans use the confirmed sample and a series of little measuring sticks to get the sizes correct for each piece when they are making a batch of products – it’s fantastic to watch how fast they work, after so many years of experience, they definitely make it look easy!
The carving detail is also done by hand for all our products – it is done when the piece has been thrown and before the clay fully dries and then the glaze added before firing – you definitely need a steady hand and good eye for this job!
Originally the potters had to do everything by hand, working together with other local potters by making a communal kiln every four days in the town square. This process is still done by small local potter groups who make simple earthenware items such as flower pots, yoghurt bowls and raksi alcohol distilling pots. On our last visit to the ceramics workshop, we saw the traditional method in a neighbouring street, where the pots were stacked up, covered with straw and ash and then burned in a huge pile! When the fire has burnt out, the ash is swept away and the pots are left to cool, and each potter takes their pieces.
Laura Queening
Designer
AURA QUE