BalkhariaBalkharian Potteryn Pottery

Mikhail Nokhov,Mikhail Nokhov,

Gymnasium #1,Gymnasium #1,

KhasavyurtKhasavyurt

The ceramic craft was The ceramic craft was in existence in in existence in Dagestan as early as Dagestan as early as ancient times. One of ancient times. One of important early important early centers of pottery centers of pottery making in highland in making in highland in Dagestan was the Lak Dagestan was the Lak village of Balkhar. The village of Balkhar. The earthware of various earthware of various sorts, manufactured in sorts, manufactured in Balkhar, were widely Balkhar, were widely known in many known in many districts of Dagestan. districts of Dagestan.

Traditionally women’s Traditionally women’s hands created the art. hands created the art.

The men prepared The men prepared the clay, repaired the clay, repaired the kilns and the kilns and transported the transported the finished wears to finished wears to many districts of many districts of Dagestan and even Dagestan and even Azerbaijan for sale Azerbaijan for sale or exchange. Girls or exchange. Girls were taught the were taught the craft since craft since childhood. childhood.

Today Balkhar ceramics Today Balkhar ceramics number some thirty number some thirty specimens – various specimens – various kinds of jugs, pitches, kinds of jugs, pitches, dishes, and the like. Each dishes, and the like. Each of them is intended for of them is intended for special use: for water, special use: for water, milk, churning butter, milk, churning butter, salting cheese, storing salting cheese, storing different foods, etc. They different foods, etc. They differ in shape and differ in shape and design, and most of them design, and most of them are distinguished by are distinguished by beauty and symmetry of beauty and symmetry of form. Recently the form. Recently the porters of Balkhar have porters of Balkhar have begun to manufacture a begun to manufacture a great amount of great amount of decorative wall dishes, decorative wall dishes, miniature sculptures miniature sculptures and figurines. and figurines.

In addition to ancients In addition to ancients patterns, Balkharian patterns, Balkharian porters also use modern porters also use modern patterns bearing human patterns bearing human and animal images. and animal images. Together with painted Together with painted pottery, the carvings of pottery, the carvings of birds, cows, and horses birds, cows, and horses can be seen in almost can be seen in almost every Balkhar house, every Balkhar house, figures of humans have figures of humans have also appeared. The also appeared. The technique of decorating technique of decorating toys and figurines is toys and figurines is similar to that of similar to that of pottery. pottery.