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