chamba black clay bean pot
La Chamba Pottery, Pots and Cookware
La Chamba pieces are all handmade from black micacious clay found only in central Colombia. Archeologists believe that this region in Colombia is home to the oldest pottery found in the Americas. The pots made in a tiny rural village result in cookware which is both beautiful and functional in our modern homes.
All pieces are food safe, completely lead free.
Each piece is made by hand on rudimentary pottery wheels.
photo by:
lavidaverdeAfter the
piece is formed and shaped it is coated with a fine red clay.
photo by:
lavidaverdeThe red clay is
then rubbed with natural stones. After firing the red hot pieces are covered
with rice husks and smoked. This part of the process is what changes the color
from red to black. Small imperfections in the finish and flecks of minerals
(mica) in the clay are part of the handmade process. The mica acts as an
insulator and gives the cookware the ability to heat evenly and not crack under
temperature changes.
photo by:
lavidaverdeOnce the pieces
are burnished they are loaded into metal drums for firing.
photo by:
lavidaverdeThis picture
shows the drums being loaded onto the kiln floor.