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Blue Pottery is the one of the most well-known item constructed in Rajasthan. What was once only the luxury of the rich, today has become an reasonable piece of ornamentation. Today the items made in blue pottery are available in many colours like pink, yellow and green. Tourists should not at all miss the shopping of blue pottery. Blue Pottery is unique in appearance.

The Jaipur blue pottery, prepared from Egyptian paste, is shiny and low-fired. Some of this pottery is semi-transparent and generally ornamented with animal and bird designs. Being fired at very low temperature makes them easily broken. The range of items is primarily attractive, such as ashtrays, vases, coasters, small bowls and boxes for trinkets.

The use of blue polish on pottery made from Multani mitti, or Fuller’s earth is an imported technique, first introduced by Mongol artisans who combined Chinese finishing technology with Persian ornamental arts.

Gradually the blue glaze technique grew beyond an architectural accessory to Kashmiri potters. From there, the technique traveled to the plains of Delhi and in the 17th century went to Jaipur. The rulers of Jaipur were limited to blue-glazed ware, and many marble halls in Rambagh Palace have fountains lined with blue tiles. These tiles were also used in the building of the city of Jaipur, but they vanished soon after. This art was forgotten for the want of cheaper and more durable pottery options as also due to the lack of expert artisans willing to carry on the craft. 
 

The shops where you can buy items of blue pottery are - Rajasthali and other shops on MI Road and Amber Road in Jaipur. The Kripal Kumb in Bani Park and Neerja International in C Scheme in Jaipur are also good places to purchase blue pottery.Some of the items prepared from blue pottery are glasses, plates, fruit bowls, and tiles with floral patterns and flower containers. These items are usually priced between Rs 25 to Rs 10,000 depending upon the size of the item.

The small hamlets of Sanganer, Neota and Mahalan are the places where you can purchase attractive blue pottery items at a much lesser price.
 

The blue colour or greenish-blue color is obtained by combination of crude copper oxide with salt or sugar in a furnace and then filtering it for use. The dark ultramarine colour is obtained from cobalt oxide. The common designs are motivated from Mughal era arabesque patterns, animal and bird designs. The products made comprise soap dishes, trays, plates, coasters, flower vases, surahis (small pitcher), fruit bowls, door knobs, and glazed tiles with hand painted floral designs. The craft is mainly found in Jaipur, and also in Sanganer, Mahalan, and Neota.

Pottery,is one of the old crafts,and has its own standing custom in Rajasthan. Certain shapes are characteristic of Rajasthan. Alwar is famous for its double cutwork pottery known as “kagzi”. It is prepared from a thin layer of clay and needs a high degree of talent. Purely decorative, the pottery of Bikaner uses colors embellished with gold to give a sparkling finish. Blue Pottery of Jaipur is the only pottery in the world that is made without using clay.
 

The Persian Art of blue pottery came to Jaipur from Persia and Afghanistan through Mughal Courts. Blue Pottery is prepared from quartz and not clay. Materials that are used comprise quartz, raw glaze, sodium sulphate, and multani mitti.The major benefit is that blue pottery does not develop any cracks, and blue pottery is also unaffected, clean, and appropriate for daily use. Blue pottery is wonderfully ornamented with the brush when the pot is rotated.

The art of shiny pottery came to India through Persia. The materials used are Multani clay or 'fuller's earth', quartz, raw glaze, and sodium sulphate. The best pieces are hand painted with floral or decorated patterns and sometimes with figures of animals. Besides traditional articles like 'surahis', pots and cylindrical jars, other items consist of tiles, flower pots, beads, ashtrays, ear rings, lamp stands, soap cases, mugs, jugs and door knobs.

You can mark blue pottery being made at Sanganer, not far from Jaipur, and also within the city at Kripal Kumbh, Shiva Marg. The color palette is limited to blue derived from the oxide of cobalt, green from the oxide of copper and white, though other non-conventional colours such as yellow and brown have jumped into the fight too.

The reawakening of tile-making start in the late 19th century, and Jaipur became the centre of a booming new industry producing blue ware. The traditional Persian patterns have now been adapted to satisfy a more sophisticated clientele. Apart from the predictable vessels, jars, pots and containers, you'll now find cups ,tea sets, and saucers, plates and glasses, jugs, ashtrays and even napkin rings.
 

                                                                                          Blue Pottery of Rajasthan