CHULUCANAS POTTERY

Chulucanas, Peru

Chulucanas pottery is a special earthenware made from a clay found only in the surroundings of Chulucanas, a small village near Piura in northern Peru. The technique for making this unique pottery dates back to pre-Columbian times. The clay is first blended by treading on it much the way grapes are crushed in traditional wine making. Small pieces may be formed on a potter’s wheel but the medium size and larger items are all molded and painted by hand in a centuries old traditional way. The process is carried out in several stages. The first glaze color is applied and fired. A clay wash is then applied on the design to cover the pattern that will show that color. A second firing with Mango leaves added to the fire causes the uncoverd glaze to turn a smoky brown/black color that is typical of chulucanas work. After cooling the piece, the artisan uses a selection of special stones and sticks to remove the clay wash and burnish and polish the finished item. The production of this pottery is a very time consuming process in which whole families take part.

The pottery on our site is produced in the home workshops of two highly skilled artisan families. We purchase the pottery from the Peruvian charitable organization, ADESA. ADESA provides the artisans with access to the capital they need to be competitive. They assist them in marketing, product design, and technical support. ADESA uses profits from its artisan sales to fund a school and a clinic in one of Lima's poorest shanty towns. For more information on ADESA and its good works in Peru click here.

Clay mixing footwork....

Artisan applying clay wash to the design....

Piece ready for 2nd firing ... uncoverd white areas will
turn a smokey black/brown in firing....

Final Polishing.