Identification of Traditional Surface Decoration Techniques in Earthenware Products of Sri Lanka

Abstract

useful material in the past. Clay was identified as a material to produce culinary utensils and objects. When fired, clay gets hard enough to make durable objects and it adds a value to the product. At the beginning, designs were in primary stage and the only purpose was to fulfil the requirements and functional value, but later on people considered about the aesthetical pleasing value. People came up with decorative effects to enhance the beauty and functionality of the product. Outer appearance or surface decoration gives more value and the first impression about the product. According to the above considerations surface appearance could be identified as an important aspect of a ceramic product. At the beginning, different decorative methods were used to enhance their ideas throughout the ceramic body. They were decorated with social stories and creative designs; it was an explanation media for the society. Pottery is a horizon of the cultural empire and solid item which explains the past. Decoration is the aspect that makes a piece of art more than the utilitarian communicating to the user and contributing to the total appearance. Evolution and variety of decoration methods in Sri Lanka cannot be omitted because it has a great history than contemporary situation. Pinching, Engobing, Engraving, Stamping, Springing, Painting could be identified as traditional decoration methods. They add an aesthetical appearance and a value, giving a meaning and a life to a ceramic product. Studying the surface decoration methods of ceramic ware is a vast area. This research focuses only on the identification of various traditional decorative techniques in low temperature earthenware products in Sri Lanka. Present products have less design qualities compared to traditional clay objects. Even though the consumer expects a design value, the manufacturer pays a less consideration on the aesthetical value of the product; it is a main problem in the current clay ware industry. Because of that people try to use other alternative products to fulfil their needs. But if it has a good design quality they would like to use earthenware products for their day to day needs. The information and data collected using the following methods will be analyzed under several key sections of the research. Primary data will be collected from the primary source by using structured questionnaires and field visit. The questionnaires will be given to people live in urban areas (Colombo & Kandy). The questionnaires mainly focus on the surface decoration methods in present clay vessels. Secondary data will be collected from the previous and existing earthenware vessels, from the books, research journals, research articles, archaeological excavations etc. This research will be an investigation to identify traditional decorative techniques in earthenware products and it will be helpful to re design earthenware clay vessels with aesthetical pleasing and reestablish the creative tradition in the earthenware industry in Sri Lanka.