The high mountain village of Balkhar has been famous for its ceramics for ages. The craft has a rich history as evidenced by the ornamental motifs used to decorate the wares in Dagestani decorative art since ancient times. It is impossible to determine the exact date of the Balkhar ceramics origin because archaeological excavations have never been conducted there. However, judging by the archaic painting the Balkhar ceramics is 500 years old at the least.

In the past (from the 18th century to the 1929–30s inclusive) all the mountainous Dagestan (the Avars, the Laks, the Dargins) were supplied with the Balkhar ceramic pottery. Ceramic utensils had various shapes (more than 30 types), which sadly have not survived to this day.

All pieces were produced from local types of clay on the simplest of manual wheels. They resemble somewhat ancient kitchenware, sharing its simple silhouette, noble matte finish and absence of glazing. However, Balkhar ceramics can hardly be mistaken for pieces produced by master craftsmen elsewhere. It is distinguished for its strict uniformity of style: everything, from shape to patterns, must follow the tradition. As many centuries ago, the wares are made by hand, polished and painted with handmade brushes. Decorations are usually white or, less often, red-brown and done in local coloured clays. The painting Balkhar women potters do resembles an intricate lace of wiggly lines and scrolls.

Floor-standing kakvi jars were used by housewives to store grain, flour and dried fruit or to soak apples and pears. With its elongated neck and the shape that tapers towards the bottom, the jar looks elegant while being quite capacious at the same time.