Traditional earthenware: Myanmar earthenware business back in trend

The earthenware items made of clay are getting more attract due to its modernized designs.

Around 100 items of earthenware are being produced because of local and foreign demands. In terms of customize and various designs, the earthenware items are getting back popular, according to the earthenware sale shop in Mandalay.

Zar Zar Myint , Pyone Pan Thar Earthenware Shop said " Nowadays, cooking rice in clay pots is getting back in trend. The elders and restaurants order the earthen pots for cooking purposes. They also have good intention to preserve such earthenware items. We are now exporting the items to foreign countries. Prices range at only a hundred kyat for one miniature clay pot and 5000 to 7000 kyats each for clay Buddha statues and so on."

Earthenware has been used for storing food and drink for ceremonial and religious purposes and also for decorating houses, palaces, and shrines.   

Zar Zar Myint , Pyone Pan Thar Earthenware Shop said " We have seasonal clay items to sell like oil lamps for Thadingyut festival and different sizes of clay pots for Thingyan festival. For the whole year round, we sell different items made of clay inspiring Myanmar traditional arts and crafts. The foreign exports go through Myawaddy, Kawthaung, Ranaung to abroad such as Thailand and UAE."

Earthenware in various forms, both unglazed and glazed play a very important part in the lives of Myanmar people from the prehistoric period to historic and modern times.