10,000 years ago potters began a tradition of decorating their
ware wth readily availabe textures; tree bark, braided rope, and woven basket textures. The oldest
pots have been found in China. Anthropologists and Archeologists believe the first “fired”
pots were really the raw clay linings of loosely woven baskets. The raw clay lining kept cultivated
grains from falling through the openings. The clay lining may also have been to keep out vermin.
At some point, a basket must have been caught in a fire. The basket and contents were lost, but, a
vitrofied or water insoluable clay pot remained. Voila, a ceramic industry was born. This is a universal
circumstance. In all primitive cultures, the progress of a civilazation is measured by its status
of ceramic production and trade.
In our culture, we measure status by the type and style of our footwear.
This ceramic pinch pot is decorated with the texture from the bottom of a sports
shoe. The 10,000 year old tradition of decorating pottery with readily availabe textures continues on
the surface of this pinch pot.
Check out an ancient sample at the Metropolitain Museum of Art, New
York City, New York, USA web site @
www.metmuseum.org/
