| Terracotta, the first creative expression of | | | | The basic features which are still holding |
| civilization, man's first attempt at | | | | the millions of years old craft of terra |
| craftsmanship. Terracotta, a form of art that | | | | cotta and which lead to its flourishing |
| is considered magical in ancient India for | | | | success yet are the simplicity of the process |
| its atavistic nature which incorporates five | | | | and its eco-friendliness. The simpler process |
| elements - earth, water, air, fire and ether. | | | | of creating a finished product and the |
| | | | reusable mold-making techniques places it on |
| Terracotta is basically a ceramic. | | | | a higher position to bronze sculpture. As |
| Etymologically Italian, terracotta means | | | | compared to the stone works like marble, |
| "baked earth" or "fired earth". But the term | | | | terracotta products are far lighter. Hence, |
| 'terracotta' is also used to refer to the | | | | terracotta bells and terracotta clocks could |
| particulars made out of it. The craft of | | | | be easily put anywhere as compared to the |
| terra cotta involves using clay to prepare | | | | marble ones. |
| reddish brown unglazed earthenware firing it | | | | |
| through a very high temperature. The reddish | | | | A village in India without a potter creating |
| brown color is basically because of the | | | | miracles of terracotta would be a long |
| presence of iron. Other colors include | | | | search, may be a never-ending one. Products |
| yellow, grey and pink. | | | | for daily use, decorative items like murals, |
| | | | masks, clocks, bells, tiles, pots, molded |
| The history of sculptor and pottery started | | | | bricks, sculptures in |
| with terracotta. From the petty earthen pot | | | | temples……….the range of |
| for the trivialities of daily use to the | | | | terracotta products is a wide one. The fable |
| idols they worship, terra cotta occupied an | | | | of rich Mother Earth, imparts the medium, |
| important place in the lives of the people of | | | | terracotta, with such a high degree of |
| ancient India, without which life would come | | | | mouldability and adaptability that beauty of |
| to a stand-still for them. In the Indian sub | | | | form, color and texture varies across the |
| continent terracotta art bears testimony to | | | | length and breadth of the country, and across |
| the varied and ancient traditions of its | | | | the world. |
| practice over five millennia. Harrappa and | | | | |
| Mohenjodaro civilization bears the evidences | | | | The mask culture dating back to the |
| of the antiquity of the craft terracotta. | | | | pre-historic rock paintings of 3000 B.C. has |
| | | | traveled down the ages and is still alive in |
| But the domain of the craft of terracotta is | | | | the form of terra cotta masks. Tribal |
| not confined only to India. The art of | | | | terracotta masks still form a part of their |
| terracotta has defined a culture for | | | | community celebrations. Handmade terra cotta |
| generations in Imprunetta of Italy where the | | | | masks depict myriad expression. Decorative |
| craft is still blooming. Beginning in the | | | | small terracotta bells and clocks, terra |
| 15th century and continuing through the 18th, | | | | cotta masks and murals, placed anywhere, or |
| Italian sculptors raised terra cotta to a | | | | mounted in beveled glass, make an interesting |
| status of indomitable fame in the house of | | | | statement in itself. |
| European creative art. The terracotta stuff | | | | |
| handcrafted by them has the exquisity and | | | | The presence of terracotta tiles gives an |
| antique traditions respecting the cultural | | | | earthy and countryside look, and adds |
| and professional continuity of the art. Among | | | | simplicity with elegance to the interiors, |
| other countries making extensive use of the | | | | used wheresoever. Terra cotta tiles can be |
| art of terracotta are China, England, France, | | | | used in the foyer, living room, family room, |
| America and Africa (west). The Terracotta | | | | terrace, balcony, corridors……any |
| Army of China (the terra cotta soldiers), the | | | | place where you want the earthy feeling, the |
| Abduction of Hippodameia (from Greek | | | | feeling of the five basic elements of life. |
| mythology) in France, and the two buildings | | | | Terra cotta tiles can be used as paintings or |
| of Victorian Birmingham in England bear | | | | wall hangings. A terracotta tile mounted to a |
| testimonial of this antique art of terra | | | | simple creamy background, focused with good |
| cotta. | | | | yellow lighting can create magical effect. |
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| The craft of terracotta in India is an | | | | Terracotta murals are a rage now. Making an |
| epitome of religious expression conveyed | | | | attractive visual focal point in a room, |
| through clay. Molded clay is converted to | | | | terra cotta murals can adorn both exteriors |
| masks and murals capturing the sculptor's | | | | and interiors. Adding a terra cotta mural to |
| imagination. Nevertheless, always existing | | | | our living room, where we can entertain |
| outside the rigid rules of the constituted | | | | friends can be a fantastic idea to earn |
| Hindu canons governing artistic expression, | | | | compliments! |
| the art of terracotta enjoys enormous freedom | | | | |
| in terms of imagination and conception which | | | | Also known as 'waterproof ceramic', |
| lead to the parturition of a wide variety of | | | | terracotta springs from earth, air, water and |
| sculptures with the tag of 'beauty and | | | | fire, the elements comprising the universe. |
| ethnicity' attached to it, for good. In the | | | | Its antiquity, its beauty, its adaptability |
| world scenario, the most famous terracotta | | | | and its simplicity earned terra cotta the |
| sculptures are those of the Terracotta | | | | famous tag of the "Lyric of |
| Warriors in China. | | | | Handicraft".indianhandicrafts.co. |
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