Ceramics of Rishtan school

Blue ceramics of Rishtan In many regions of Uzbekistan earthenware is ornamented with lead glazes, but the most ancient and highly valued by the experts is the blue glaze ishkor. The well-known centers of traditional blue ceramics of Uzbekistan are in Rishtan and Gurumsaray settlements in Fergana valley. Here the craft of ceramics appeared about a thousand years ago. The pottery of Rishtan masters – kuzgars, which is covered with bright blue glaze «ishkor», was in big demand along the whole length of the Great Silk Road, from China to Arabian Peninsula. Rishtan is the oldest center of ceramic art in Central Asia. The famous technique of glazed earthenware which local people use for their household needs and which is exported from the Fergana Valley was created here. It varies by shape, ornamentation and color. The most characteristic coloring of this earthenware (ceramic) is a turquoise, dark blue and brown scheme on a milky-white background. Ishkor glaze, made from ashes, gives the earthenware its beautiful soft shine. The Rishtan ceramists' mastery of composition is inexhaustible. The paintings, which are done mostly in a freestyle manner, are based on direct observation of nature and reproduce the variation of surrounding world - flowers, branches, fruit, pitchers, knives, etc. The repertoire of ornamental patterns in Rishtan ceramics is one of the richest in the world. There are geometrical and plant patterns, signs and symbols, and images of various subjects.