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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details
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Design Resource
Introduction
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan Blue Pottery is one of the well-known crafts of Jaipur. It was once a native craft of Persia that was brought to
India by Mughals and later got patronized by Indian ruler (mostly Rajput). This blue pottery technique is an im-
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery ported one. It is a mix of Chinese glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. Blue pottery caught the local
by people’s interest and many started learning this craft soon, most of the Kumbhar (pottery) families also shifted
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and from working on red clay to blue pottery later, on a larger scale. Eventually blue pottery craft flourished in and
Sandhya B. around Jaipur. Blue pottery has made its mark among few of other crafts in Jaipur. And one among those places
NID Campus, Bengaluru where blue pottery is carried on is Sanganer.

Sanganer is a town-situated in Jaipur, the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in northern India. It is 16kms
south of Jaipur. It has been abode for blue pottery and other various handicrafts. Blue pottery has grown to an
Source: industry where it provides livelihood to many people. Though new designs are adapted to enhance the craft, ar-
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
tisans have also been keen on keeping their traditional ways. In blue pottery one can see the use of the dough in
pur-rajasthan-0/introduction
the place of clay. The dough is a mixture of quartz stone, powder glass, multani mitti, borax, gum and water. The
Blue pottery gets its name from the blue dye that is used to color the pottery. The design patterns are mostly of
floral, animal and birds motifs. Apart from usual urns that were made earlier, artisans have come up with tea sets,
1. Introduction cups and saucers, glasses, jars, mugs, ashtrays and more. The tiles of blue pottery are an attraction and amazingly
2. Tools and Raw Materials handcrafted products with supercool designs. Tiles can be arranged in numerous ways to create patterned floors
and walls. There are endless possibilities and are eye catchy, these design patterns can be customized to any size
3. Making Process
accordingly.
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Pile of plates that are ready for the design patterns to be drawn.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0/introduction

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Neck part of the vase placed on the base. A girl holding pot picture made of glazed tiles.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- JAIPUR INDIA – trademark written below the cup. A lovely glazed white elephant.
pur-rajasthan-0/introduction

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

A row of painted and glazed, beautiful blue elephants.

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Design Resource
Tools and Raw Materials
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan The tools that are used in blue pottery are:
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery • Molds: Molds of desired designs and shapes are made of Plaster of Paris (POP) and used.
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and • Knife: Knife is used to cut the excess dough and remove unwanted dough after casting.
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru • Potter’s Wheel: Potter wheel is used to attach the base.

• Sandpaper: Sand paper of different grains is used to smoothen the surface of product; generally artists use grit
of 60, 100 and 180 numbers.
Source:
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• Broom: A small broom made of husk is used to brush off the dust.
pur-rajasthan-0/tools-and-raw-materials
• Brushes: Various numbers from small size to medium-sized brushes are used to draw and fill in colors by the
artisans.
1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials • Heating Kiln: To dry the products heating kiln is used, (kiln is in circular shape to trap the heat evenly and ce-
mented plates are used on which the products are kept, these plates are separated by terracotta stands. The kiln
3. Making Process
is closed from top and fired from below).
4. Products
5. Contact Details • Flattening Tool: A tool with flat base is used to flatten the dough.

The raw materials that are needed in the making of blue pottery are got from the local market and are as follows:

• Quartz Stone: Quartz is procured from nearby place. Quartz is white in color, one of the main raw materials, so
it is bought in bulk.

• Glass: Scrap or broken pieces of glass (cullet) is used. The glass is first washed and then powdered to fine parti-
cles. It is sieved through cotton cloth to avoid big particles.

• Katira Gond: An edible gum something that of resin. Adhesive that is available in big pieces are grinded later
using a grinding stone, bigger particles are removed by sieving.

• Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth): It is available in solid lumps, which can be grounded later to fine powder & used.
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Design Resource • Saaji: It is an edible soda available in the market.

Blue Pottery - Jaipur, • Maida (Flour): Maida acts as an adhesive and sometimes used as substitute in the place of multani mitti.
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery Colors:
by Two main colors that are used in blue pottery are:
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and • Oxide and
• Ferro colors
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru
The dominant colors used in Blue Pottery are:
• Dark Blue
• Light Blue
Source: • Green
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- • Bright Yellow is obtained from Cadmium Oxide
pur-rajasthan-0/tools-and-raw-materials • Brown – obtained from Ferro colors

Burnt Wood Dust:

Burnt wood dust is used to give exact shape to the product when it is in a mold. It is non-sticky and can be easily
1. Introduction brushed off once the product dries.
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process Wood:
4. Products For-firing purposes locally available wood is used.
5. Contact Details Other ingredients used are:
Charcoal, Water, Borax powder, Zinc Oxide, Potassium nitrate, and Boric acid.

Iron knife to cut excess dough.

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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0/tools-and-raw-materials

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Potter’s wheel to form base for product like vase. Brush of various sizes.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0/tools-and-raw-materials

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Handmade thin brushes for the outline. Heating kiln (Furnace)- to dry products to finished ones.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Sand paper is used for smoothening the surface of Flattening tool, something that of a flat base to flatten
pur-rajasthan-0/tools-and-raw-materials the product. dough.

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Dough (mixture of kanch stone, katira gond, edible Colors - oxide colors and Ferro colors.
gum, fullers earth, soda bicarbonate, and flour in proper
amount, forms the dough).
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Design Resource
Making Process
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan The making of blue pottery involves various steps and it’s a long process.
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery Preparing the Dough:
by Firstly the dough is prepared with raw materials like quartz powder (available in Jaipur and in powdered form),
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and cullet (the small chunks of glass are washed first and are grinded later to make glass powder. It is sieved to avoid
Sandhya B. bigger particles.), saji, katira gond, and multani mitti are mixed together properly to a non-sticky dough and kept
NID Campus, Bengaluru for few hours before using.

Making the Mold:

Molds are made from Plaster of Paris (POP). Molds are made of desired shapes and sizes, and then dried. To avoid
Source: breakings and due to limitations of the use of dough, it is casted in molds. One or two molds are used while
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
making certain products, like for a vase - the castings are attached to each other with little dough and water. The
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process
molds if maintained properly can be used for more numbers of times.

Casting the Product:

1. Introduction A good amount of dough is flattened to a round roti like shape of approximate 1cm thickness with a flattening
2. Tools and Raw Materials tool. The flattened dough is placed on mold and tucked in nicely to get the shape. The mold with dough in it is
then filled with burnt wood dust and pressed gently so that dough takes the exact shape of the mold. The extra
3. Making Process
edge of dough that comes out of mold is cut using a knife. Mold is turned upside down and it is slowly removed.
4. Products The product is left for drying for 1-2 days along with burnt wood dust in itself. Once the product dries the burnt
5. Contact Details wood dust is removed. With the small broom excess dust is brushed off from the product. Products like vases are
provided with base to give them stability. The base is attached to the product with some amount of dough and
sprinkled with water to make it leather hard. Once the product is completely done it is left for drying for 1-2 days.

Smoothening:
The rough edge of the product is smoothened by rubbing it on stone gently. After this, the product is rubbed
with the sandpaper to remove grains and to make surface of product even. The finished product now has to be
painted before which it undergoes another smoothening process. The product is coated with, dough mixed with
water to fill the pores and later the product is dried and rubbed with sandpaper again. The same step is repeat-
ed for one more coat. After second round of smoothening the products are dipped in mixture of quartz powder,
powdered glass, Maida (edible flour) and water. It is evenly coated and kept for drying. Once the product is dried
it is rubbed with sandpaper evenly and made ready for painting.
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Design Resource Painting:

Blue Pottery - Jaipur, The products are ready to get painted after the smoothening process is done. Artisans follow or sometimes come
up with their own designs. All products are painted by hand. First the outlines are drawn with the fine brush or
Rajasthan custom-made artist brush. If the product is circular shape then the outline is easy to give, product is just placed
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery on potter’s wheel and by touching the tip of brush to the product a neat line could be drawn. After the outlines,
by colors are filled in the spaces and that complete designs.
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Colors:
Sandhya B.
The colors that are used are oxides and Ferro metal. The oxides will be available in the market. It is mixed with
NID Campus, Bengaluru
edible gum, which acts as a binding agent. Once done with outlines, it is then filled with colors.

Glazing:
Source: A special glaze is prepared using different raw material like powdered glass, borax, zinc oxide, potassium nitrate,
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- and boric acid. These raw materials are heated at a high temperature; melting point is reduced by borax. When
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process everything is done, mixture is put to cold water to cool and it splits to splinters. Splinters are collected and then
grounded. The grounded frit is mixed with water to form glaze, the coat of product should not be too thick or
thin, and it should be evenly coated. Too thick will give matte finish and when it is too thin it will leave the pores
exposed. The products are dipped in glaze and left for drying. Once it is dried its ready to get in furnace.
1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials Firing:
3. Making Process The products are kept inside a furnace to dry. The products are properly stacked inside so that it doesn’t touch
4. Products each other. The kiln is closed from top and heating is done from below using wood and charcoal, and an even
circulation of heat within the kiln is maintained by leaving the center core open for heat to move freely. The firing
5. Contact Details takes place for 4-5 hours and the firing has to be controlled to be gradual because changes in temperature might
cause cracks in products. The kiln is left for cooling for 2-3 days and then products are taken out. The products are
separated from the cracked ones, the final ones are cleansed and packed for the market.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Bits of dough are made to a lump. The lump is flattened with a flattening tool.
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Flattened dough is placed on pop (Plaster of Paris) mold.

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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Excess dough is cut of with iron knife.
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Dough is filled with charcoal to retain shape of mold. Pair of bowls after cleaning charcoal.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Castings kept for drying.
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Extra dough is put on the base part. Potters wheel to form the base for the products.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Attaching top and bottom parts of the product forms
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process vase.

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Line formed by extra dough is scrubbed off with sand Smoothening and removing extra dough.
paper and now vase is scrubbed all over and is ready for
the outlines of design to be drawn.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Close look on the lines drawn by the artist.
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

An artisan filling up design with color. Pile of plates with floral motifs.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Vases that are ready to be glazed.
pur-rajasthan-0/making-process

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Glazing the products. Placing the products in furnace evenly without making
them touch each other.
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Design Resource
Products
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan Initially blue pottery was to decorate temples and palaces. With new interventions we can see fusion of quality
and style that coincides and new range of products are introduced. Today we can see all sorts of things in blue
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery pottery. Products from plates, jars, bowls, soap dishes, frames, lampstands, ashtrays, flower vases, essence hold-
by ers, beads, ear rings, knobs, hangers, cups and mugs, tea sets, glazed tiles, games and more are available.
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0/products

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process Plates with various design patterns, hung on wooden Colorful knob.
4. Products wall.
5. Contact Details

Vases of variable shapes and designs. Blue vases with lighter shade of green leaves.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Glazed yellow pot with simple and attractive floral Set of blue jars.
pur-rajasthan-0/products drawings.

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Beads of bright attractive colors.

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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai-
pur-rajasthan-0/products

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Blue tile with floral motifs. Gold color beads with minute flower drawings.
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Design Resource
Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru

Source: Blue pottery store with collection of vases, cylindrical

http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- jars, small bowls, ashtrays, lamp stands, coasters, soap
pur-rajasthan-0/products dishes, knobs, plates, beads, and decorative wall hang-
ings.

1. Introduction
2. Tools and Raw Materials
3. Making Process
4. Products
5. Contact Details

Decorative showpiece, looks more like a lamp stand. Blue pottery store with a different view.
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Design Resource Contact Details

Blue Pottery - Jaipur,
Rajasthan This documentation was done by Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S.
and Sandhya B. at NID Campus, Bengaluru.
Eye-Catching Blue Colored Pottery
by You can get in touch with
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and • Prof. Bibhudutta Baral at bibhudutta[at]nid.edu
Sandhya B.
NID Campus, Bengaluru You could write to the following address regarding
suggestions and clarifications:

Crafts People:
Source: Sakshi, Sanganer, (Kailash)
http://www.dsource.in/resource/blue-pottery-jai- Jaipur, RJ
pur-rajasthan-0 India
Mobile: 9828011084

1. Introduction Helpdesk Details:

2. Tools and Raw Materials Co-ordinator
Project e-kalpa
3. Making Process R & D Campus
4. Products National Institute of Design
5. Contact Details #12 HMT Link Road, Off Tumkur Road
Bengaluru 560 022
India

Phone: +91 80 2357 9054

Fax: +91 80 23373086
Email: dsource.in[at]gmail.com