Broadcast 24 September on Iranian state satellite TV (IRINN)

The term "ceramic," which is used today to mean "earthenware," is derived from the Greek term 'keramus," meaning "cooked material." Another definition which comes from a Sanscrit root refers to material made with fire.

After the fall of the Qajar dynasty the art of pottery was revived by its master artisans after a period of stagnation, especially in the nation's rural areas. It gradually became one of the most prominent hand-made products in Iran.

Since the Islamic Revolution support for handicrafts has brought about the spread of pottery factories and the production of earthenware in Iran. There has been striking development in the production of decorative earthenware. This is being supported by the Iran Handicrafts Organization.

Plaster molds are used to make earthenware vessels with outstanding decorative qualities or special designs, because they cannot be formed on a pottery wheel. Sometimes plaster molds are made in several pieces. In this method of construction clay tubes are pounded into the walls of the plaster mold so the clay takes the form of the mold. After a short time the plaster mold is opened and the surface irregularities of the formed shape are smoothed with a wet sponge. After drying, these products are placed in a kiln.

Today traditional industrial workers use round dome-top kilms made of fireclay. There is an opening at the top of the kiln that is closed when the kiln is fired. The floor of the kiln has two levels. The fire is lit on the lower level and the dried pots are on the upper level.

Unglazed materials and pots need to be fired at 950-1000 degrees centigrade for 8 hours. Glazed earthenware is fired in two stages. In the first stage the unglazed earthenware is fired at 900-950 degrees centigrade for eight hours.

Today ceramics is not seen as just a rural rural art. At art centers and in the nation's art schools ceramics has found a special place as a branch of the arts.

I went to a pottery shop yesterday

I saw 2000 mute but exoressive pots

Each one said to me silently

Where is the potter, the pot buyer and the pot seller?

(quoting a quatrain by Omar Khayyam)