Black polished ceramics is a special pottery technique, known worldwide for more than 2,500 years. Dishes made of black polished ceramics are durable and water-resistant. In Rus, this type of pottery has been known since the 3rd century. One of the centers of black polished ceramics appeared in the Nizhny Novgorod Governorate, in the village of Bolshoye Kazarinovo.
The craftsmen used a special blue clay, which was mined on the right bank of the Azanka River. Clay was mined all year round, especially in winter, when landslides were not a threat. Pits and traces of ancient digs have been preserved to this day.
Before starting work, the clay was prepared in a special way: a piece was taken from the total mass, put on a stone slab and smashed with a butt. After that, on a manual pottery wheel, the masters gave the vessel a shape — they made jugs, bowls, milk jugs, and cups. The manual pottery wheel has been known in Rus since the 10th century, and the modern wheel operated by foot appeared in the province a thousand years later.
Before firing, the clay vessel was polished to a shine, which increased the strength of the item. A flat stone, a bone, a glass vessel or a metal spoon could be used for polishing. After that, the dishes were sent to the oven, where they were calcined in a special way.
Black polished ceramics is smoked clay fired in a smoking flame without oxygen. It is also called “tomlyonaya” (from the Russian “tomit” — “to cook for a long time over low heat; to torture”) or “moryonaya” (from the Russian “morit” — “to wear out”). To achieve a thick dark smoke, raw wood, old grass and even manure were put in the oven. The master could fire black polished dishes in the oven for more than a day to get the right shade and strength. After firing, the vessels obtained a velvety black-and-blue color, and the patterns on them achieved by polishing had a blueish tinge, so people called such dishes “sinushki” (“blue dishes”).
Kazarinovo ceramics was distinguished not only by the color palette and variety of shapes, but also by traditional ornament. This jug is decorated with a geometric pattern. The middle part of the vessel is covered with rounded lines. The lower part is decorated with a dense mesh-like pattern and is separated from the middle part by polished belts. The neck of the jug is emphasized by vertical lines with rows of convex belts. Today, the craftsmen of Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov are reviving the traditions of black polished ceramics. The products are used in everyday life and to decorate modern interiors.
The craftsmen used a special blue clay, which was mined on the right bank of the Azanka River. Clay was mined all year round, especially in winter, when landslides were not a threat. Pits and traces of ancient digs have been preserved to this day.
Before starting work, the clay was prepared in a special way: a piece was taken from the total mass, put on a stone slab and smashed with a butt. After that, on a manual pottery wheel, the masters gave the vessel a shape — they made jugs, bowls, milk jugs, and cups. The manual pottery wheel has been known in Rus since the 10th century, and the modern wheel operated by foot appeared in the province a thousand years later.
Before firing, the clay vessel was polished to a shine, which increased the strength of the item. A flat stone, a bone, a glass vessel or a metal spoon could be used for polishing. After that, the dishes were sent to the oven, where they were calcined in a special way.
Black polished ceramics is smoked clay fired in a smoking flame without oxygen. It is also called “tomlyonaya” (from the Russian “tomit” — “to cook for a long time over low heat; to torture”) or “moryonaya” (from the Russian “morit” — “to wear out”). To achieve a thick dark smoke, raw wood, old grass and even manure were put in the oven. The master could fire black polished dishes in the oven for more than a day to get the right shade and strength. After firing, the vessels obtained a velvety black-and-blue color, and the patterns on them achieved by polishing had a blueish tinge, so people called such dishes “sinushki” (“blue dishes”).
Kazarinovo ceramics was distinguished not only by the color palette and variety of shapes, but also by traditional ornament. This jug is decorated with a geometric pattern. The middle part of the vessel is covered with rounded lines. The lower part is decorated with a dense mesh-like pattern and is separated from the middle part by polished belts. The neck of the jug is emphasized by vertical lines with rows of convex belts. Today, the craftsmen of Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov are reviving the traditions of black polished ceramics. The products are used in everyday life and to decorate modern interiors.
