| Over recent decades terracotta pots have | | | | which is only possible with terracotta. Terracotta |
| become increasingly popular with those who wish | | | | has also been used extensively in the town |
| to create a contemporary garden design. | | | | buildings of Victorian Birmingham, England and |
| However, unbeknown to many people, terracotta | | | | pre-colonial West African sculpture also made |
| has actually been used architecturally for many | | | | extensive use of terracotta. |
| centuries. | | | | In the times of pre - colonial West Africa many |
| The pots originate from their use throughout | | | | people were making use of the terracotta that |
| history for sculpture, pottery, bricks and roof | | | | was available to them. Today some of the most |
| shingles. In ancient times, the first clay sculptures | | | | recognised places for producing terracotta include |
| were dried (baked) in the sun after being found | | | | the Nok culture of central and north - central |
| and were then placed in the ashes of open | | | | Nigeria and the lgbo culture area of eastern |
| hearths to harden. Kilns were then used, similar to | | | | Nigeria. All of these reasons excelled in producing |
| those that are more traditionally used for pottery | | | | terracotta which is why they have become |
| today. | | | | famous for it today. |
| The few people who know this information | | | | Some of the reasons why lots of different |
| therefore like to use these pots as part of their | | | | cultures chose to build with terracotta are |
| contemporary garden design because they | | | | because it is much simpler and lighter than other |
| provide a sense of history and culture. | | | | materials. As well as this it was discovered to be |
| When people think of terracotta pots they | | | | very long lasting and could tolerate very low |
| normally think of something that they would | | | | temperatures in the winter months. This meant |
| normally find in their contemporary garden design. | | | | that people could be assured that their |
| However, terracotta has been used for many | | | | architectural work wouldn't break or suffer from |
| centuries around the world for lots of different | | | | frost when it was very cold. |
| reasons. | | | | With such an impressive history behind it, it's not |
| The most famous terra cotta statues are those | | | | surprising that so many people who are looking |
| of the terra cotta warriors in China and another | | | | for a contemporary garden design turn to |
| significant user of terracotta has been Emperor | | | | terracotta. With an impressive and culturally |
| Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army of China. | | | | diverse history behind it, terracotta is bound to |
| American architect Louis Sullivan is well - known | | | | make any garden more interesting and unique. |
| for his elaborate glazed terracotta ornamentation | | | | |