Pottery has offered many services to the human race from primordial times. It is amongst the oldest craft and plays an important role in the day to day life of many people. For archaeologists, pottery can be the gauge of a country’s development.
Pottery is a very unique art of making artifacts from clay. The pottery industries today are not very large scale, but are working efficiently under small scale industrial groups .The artists in the small scale industries of pottery are generally from rural locations. However, the trend is changing. This change is caused by the increase in per capita income of many developing countries which leads the middle and higher class people to buy pottery handicrafts, thereby increasing the sale of pottery.
In the present day, Toshiba Ballotine Co. Ltd has a joint venture with Toshiba Corporation. The company deals in manufacturing and marketing of glass beads in pottery industries. There are many glass industries all over the world which are engaged in manufacturing reflecting mediums and pavement marking as a fine abrasive for cleaning and finishing metal parts in aerospace. Another company which deals in silica based derivative products is PQ Corporation. In India, pottery, glassware and kitchenware industries are fast developing industries. Some of the major companies in India are Hitkari potteries, Jaipur Glass Industries, Palam Potteries, Heritage Pottery, Pelican Pottery, etc. During Deepawali festival time, approximately 100 thousand rupees per month is spent on pottery. Village pottery is sold in smaller societies of India, and with the help of these markets, pottery has become very popular.
POTTERY INDUSTRY IN PRESENT DAY ASIA-
India, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, China, UAE and Sri Lanka are the foremost Asian nations which produce and export ceramic wares. The pottery industries in Asian countries grant employment as well as standard of living benefits to both the rustic and metropolitan population. This industry plays a significant role in the total GDP of these Asian countries and plays a significant role in foreign exchange.
POTTERY INDUSTRY IN PRESENT DAY AFRICA
The pottery industry of Africa is very organized and well managed providing employment opportunities to a major part of the population. This economic activity is benefiting the country’s national growth and brings employment to the poor and marginalized sections of society. The major manufacturers of pottery in Africa are: Western Cape, Morocco, Liberia, Eastern Cape, Cameroon, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu, and Natal.
EUROPE-
France, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany are the chief producers and exporters of pottery in Europe.
AUSTRALIA
Australia manufactures and exports ceramic glasses, porcelain home wares, dinnerware, and ceramic framed mirrors.
