Global Clay

Exploring pottery's global traditions, Global Clay reveals universal themes that connect cultures through art and ceramics over millennia.

With over 200 full-color photographs showcasing traditional pottery from around the world, Global Clay is a captivating exploration for art enthusiasts and pottery lovers alike. This visually stunning book delves into the rich history of ceramics, revealing how, for over 25,000 years, people have shaped, decorated, and fired clay across various cultures and regions. Despite the vast differences in style and technique, Global Clay uncovers universal themes that resonate through the ages, such as religious influences, representations of humans and animals, and mortuary practices.

Noted pottery scholar John A. Burrison takes readers on a journey through the recurring artistic motifs that bind humanity together. In Global Clay: Themes in World Ceramic Traditions, he thoughtfully explains the reasons behind these themes and their persistence in ceramic traditions worldwide. The book's extensive illustrations not only highlight the beauty of ceramics from prehistory to the present but also serve as a testament to the shared human experience expressed through this art form.

In addition to providing an introduction to various styles of folk pottery, Global Clay offers readers extensive suggestions for further reading and thoughtful reflections on the future of traditional pottery. This book is destined to become a classic, appealing to anyone intrigued by the connections between art and humanity.