Khurja · Uttar Pradesh

Earth, turned
by hand.

Clay & Kiln makes everyday pottery on a wheel in Khurja: clay cups, water carafes, bowls and vases, fired in our own kiln and glazed in the town's famous blue.

Scroll to throw a pot

02 · Bowl

First, a bowl.

Centred clay opens under the thumbs. The walls rise and thin to a few millimetres while the wheel keeps turning.

03 · Carafe

Then, a carafe.

A narrow neck over a round belly. Unglazed clay breathes, so the water inside stays cool through a June afternoon.

04 · Vase

A vase, for the sill.

A tall shoulder and a flared lip. Every curve is pulled by fingertips, so no two come off the wheel the same.

05 · Colour

Glazed in Khurja blue.

Cobalt over white slip, fired to 1,100°C. The foot stays bare, the drips land where they like.

See the pots

The studio

Khurja has been a potters' town for generations. We are three people, one kiln and two wheels on the edge of it, making pots that are meant to be used every day, chipped a little, and loved anyway.

2019Wheels turning in Khurja since
1 pairof hands makes each piece, start to finish
Lead-freeglazes, safe for food and chai

The pots

Small batches, fired weekly.

Prices include GST; shipping across India in straw and corrugated board.

From earth to kiln

Six steps, about three weeks.

  1. 01

    Clay from the river

    River clay from the plains around Khurja, soaked, sieved and left to settle in open tanks.

  2. 02

    Kneading by hand and foot

    Worked by hand and foot until every air bubble is gone. A trapped bubble cracks in the kiln.

  3. 03

    The wheel throwing

    Centred, opened and pulled up in one sitting. A carafe takes about twelve minutes.

  4. 04

    Drying in the shade

    Five days in the shade, turned twice a day so the walls dry evenly and stay true.

  5. 05

    Painting by hand

    White slip, then cobalt brushwork by hand. Bowls get petals; jars get bands.

  6. 06

    The kiln firing

    Fourteen hours up to 1,100°C, then two days to cool before we open the door.

Workshop

Sit at the wheel.

Three hours with our potter, a wheel to yourself and enough clay to make a mess. We fire your best piece and courier it to you in about three weeks.

  • Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 1 pm
  • Clay, apron, firing and chai included
  • Ages 12 and up, no experience needed

₹1,800 per seat

Pick a weekend
Seats
2
Total ₹3,600

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