Traditional Balkhar ceramics

In the village of Balkhar located in Dagestan, the clay crockery unique in its properties has been made for centuries. Nowadays, the ancient techniques are being preserved as well: jugs, dishes, plates, bowls are all created on a potter’s wheel. They are necessarily painted before firing the white clay. This important technological difference allows the ceramics to keep cool, therefore, even in hot weather the water in a Balkhar jar remains cold. In addition to crockery, Balkhar artisans traditionally make clay figurines of animals.