Middle East, but also a place where such items of great fame and desire were produced. The diversity of shapes, adornment of the pots and the technique used, brought to light the richness and development of this craft.
During the medieval period pottery flourished. Glazed pots were created not only for the local market but also for the neighbouring countries of the Middle East.
In recent years pottery has been confined to certain centres of production such as Kyrenia (Lapithos), the Famagusta area, Fini, Komos, Ayios Demetrios and Kaminaria.
Traditional Pottery of Lapithos
Pottery has flourished in Kyrenia since ancient times. Findings at Lambousa have revealed Byzantine treasures in the area. Recent archaeological excavations in the villages of Lemba, Engomi, and Lapithos manifest that glazed pottery was part of traditional Byzantine craftsmanship.
The pots have similar characteristics although individual local features can be discerned in relation to the position of the island and medieval pottery. These characteristic traits are still evident - one can see them on vessels - and these bear witness to the Byzantine influence on our country. The Turkish occupation of the island for three entire centuries did not seem to have had any effect on the craftsmen who remained faithful to the Byzantine technique.
Characteristic of this is the creating of vessels on a kickwheel. The coating known as «badanas», the written, sprinkled or engraved decoration and the colourless glazed coating, is the technique which has managed to survive until the present day and which constitutes a form of pottery of Lapithos.
In the 1920's with the arrival of new craftsmen, the Greek refugees from Asia Minor, pottery entered a new phase which was hitherto unknown and which gave colour and offered a new interest. The potters began to use additional techniques taught to them by the newcomer refugees.
They used local materials for the preparation of the clay, the «badana» and the glaze.
The clay was prepared with soil from the Laina area in Lapithos, mixed with red soil from Myrtou and black soil from Vasilia or Karmi.
Soil for the «badana» was collected from Ayios Chrysostomos near Kythrea. Later, it was imported from Greece.
For the traditional pots of Lapithos after the initial firing, a greenish varnish was sprinkled on the «badana» of the vessels on different parts and then a colourless glaze was spread all over the pots.
In later years the well-known brightly coloured cats were produced in Lapithos with the use of press moulds.
On the colourful decoration the cats were covered with glaze which was made out of a powder composed of 2 parts lead and 1part flint.
This lead mixture was used to glaze the pots used for storing «halloumi» cheese and for cooking food on wood fire. Formerly the firing of pots was carried out in wood furnaces. Later on, electric or gas kilns were used.
The refugee Kyrenia potters have set up their workshops again in the non-occupied areas of Cyprus where they are continuing the tradition according the needs of the times.
These pots arc made in Komos, Fini, Ayios Demetrios and Kaminaria. The craftsmen who deal with the production of the red ware usually use soil from the surrounding areas for the preparation of the clay.
They usually look for soil which can be used alone without being mixed with other soils for the production of pots without defects.
The production methods of pots in the above villages is the same. It begins with the transfer of soil from the surrounding excavation areas and the preparation of clay using mechanical or other means.
The pots are thrown on a small wheel which is turned either by hand or by foot.
The pots are made with the use of coils.
When the pots are of a certain weight and height, they are wound up with strings or strips of cloth so that they do not crack on the sides and until they become leatherhard.
The next day the potter scrapes off the bottom part of the pot thus removing excess clay and then they rub the pots with a stick so as to make them shine. Next, they rub the pots with a wet cloth and leave them to dry away from wind and sun.
Finally the pots are fired in wood fired kilns.
The traditional pottery of Famagusta
Traditional Famagusta pottery includes mainly the white pots which have been produced for a long time.
This technique has been handed down from generation to generation and from father to child. The soil used in Famagusta was transported from the areas of Engomi and Dherynia.
The pots were made on the kickwheel. They mainly produced waterjugs, crocks, money boxes. sewerage pipes and also many types of decorative pots (figurines). The pots were fired in wood fired kilns.
The refugee potters of Famagusta have set up their workshops again in the non-occupied areas of Cyprus.
The Cyprus Handicraft Centre has undertaken the initiative for the preservation and promotion of traditional pottery and its development into a modem craft. |
