Blue pottery is widely recognized as a traditional craft of Jaipur of Central Asian origin.
No clay is used, the ‘dough’ for the pottery is prepared by mixing quartz stone powder, powdered glass, multani mitti , korax, gum and water.
Another source cites Katira Gond powder , and saaji as ingredients.
After completion it is fired at 700 degree temperature.
Blue pottery is a renowned traditional craft of Jaipur with roots in Central Asia. Its name comes from the striking cobalt blue dye that gives the pottery its distinctive and eye-catching appearance. This craft belongs to the wider Eurasian tradition of blue-and-white ceramics and shares similarities with Islamic pottery and, more distantly, Chinese ceramics.
Jaipur blue pottery is deeply influenced by Persian ceramic art, yet it has evolved its own unique identity. Inspired largely by nature, the designs feature delicate motifs of flowers, birds, animals, and Mughal arabesque patterns, often combined with subtle Persian geometric elements. Unlike traditional Islamic Persian art, which avoids figurative imagery, Jaipur blue pottery freely incorporates birds and animals, making it visually rich and expressive.
This pottery is made using a special ceramic frit technique, similar to ancient Egyptian faience. No clay is used in its production. Instead, the dough is prepared from a mixture of quartz stone powder, powdered glass, Multani mitti (fuller’s earth), borax, natural gum, and water. Some artisans also use Katira Gond (natural gum) and saaji (sodium bicarbonate). The pottery is glazed and fired only once at a low temperature.
One of the major advantages of blue pottery is that it does not develop cracks and is impervious, hygienic, and suitable for daily use. The decoration is done entirely by hand, with artisans skillfully painting the designs using brushes while rotating the piece, giving each product its own unique characte
Traditionally, the craft focused on decorative items such as vases, ashtrays, coasters, bowls, and trinket boxes. Today, the range has expanded to include plates, soap dishes, surahis (small pitchers), trays, fruit bowls, door knobs, and hand-painted glazed tiles. While the classic palette consists of cobalt blue, copper green, and white, modern designs sometimes incorporate yellow and brown shades.