At some point in mankind's past, "ceramics" were invented—or, more likely, discovered. Some clever soul, walking alongside a hot, long-dried riverbed, noticed that the once-moist clay had hardened under the sun: "Hmmm. How could this be useful?"
Initially, simple decorative (or religious) clay objects were formed and (probably) simply dried in the sun. The earliest discovered ceramic object is a statuette of a woman, made around 28,000 BC, unearthed in Brno, Czech Republic. Sculpted animals were also found from around this period.
Utilitarian objects, like pots, have been discovered in China, dating to 18,000 BC. It is believed that such ceramics production then spread to Japan and Asian Russia. Around the year 9,000 BC, ceramic food containers (to hold grain or oil) became popular and widespread.
The piece above, made by Übelacker (West Germany) in the 1960's or 1970's has a Modernist flair, yes, though it still retains the primitive attributes of ceramics making from thousands of years in the past. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
More ceramics history tomorrow...
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
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