The pottery tradition sustained in the Karacasu district of Aydın Province since antiquity lives on today through "Karacasu Pottery," crafted by hand using the region’s distinctive natural red clay. This product, registered as a geographical indication, stands out with its unique shapes, dark red color due to high iron oxide content, and traditional production techniques. Passed down through generations from master to apprentice, Karacasu pottery is one of the region's key cultural heritages.
History
The roots of Karacasu pottery date back to ceramic fragments unearthed at the ancient city of Aphrodisias, located about 13 kilometers from the district. These findings show that pottery activities have been ongoing in the region since the Neolithic Age. Exhibited in the Aphrodisias Museum, these artifacts prove that Karacasu is among Anatolia’s oldest ceramic production centers.
Geographical Structure and Raw Material
The primary raw material for Karacasu pottery is red clay sourced from Yazır Village and Eşek Koşağı locality within the district. This clay has a high iron oxide content, giving it a dark red color. This locally unique clay provides a vivid appearance without the need for added coloring and increases durability in pottery products.
Production Process
Clay Preparation
The clay is first cleared of foreign materials and then left to settle in mud pools. Once the consistency is adjusted, it is kneaded and divided into cylindrical pieces called “künte.” These pieces are then prepared for shaping on a wheel or press machine.
Shaping
Pottery items are shaped using traditional potter's wheels or motorized lathes. Craftsmen use region-specific techniques to give the products their characteristic forms. Commonly produced items include casseroles, jugs, storage jars, and bridal jugs.
Decoration
Main decorative techniques used in Karacasu pottery include:
- Drawing stripes with a madana tool
- Creating bands with combs and rollers
- Making deep grooves with splitting sticks
- Surface decorations using writing and wire techniques
- Polishing with slip and burnishing
These techniques are applied before the clay dries, adding a local aesthetic to the products.
Drying and Firing
Shaped products are first dried indoors and then outdoors. Firing is done in traditional wood-fired kilns. Pine wood is used as fuel, and firing times vary between 8 and 12 hours depending on the season. The upper part of the kiln is cleaned with thin wood to protect the products from soot.
Product Varieties
Karacasu pottery includes a wide range of products for both practical and decorative purposes:
- Casserole Pots: Produced in three sizes, with lids and handles.
- Jugs: With or without spouts and handles, locally known as “bardak” or “zavrak.”
- Storage Jars: Widely used in summer for their cooling properties.
- Bridal Jug: A specially shaped jug used in traditional weddings, carrying symbolic meanings.
- Decorative Items: Vases, candy dishes, ashtrays, teapots, mugs, and similar products.
- Pressed Products: Fish pans, single-serving dishes, and oven trays, increasingly produced using press machines in recent years.
Bridal Jug
Produced in Karacasu for approximately two centuries, the bridal jug is a symbolic item made to bring prosperity and peace to a marriage. It's three spouts and six nozzles that represent the bride and her children. This figurative interpretation, unique to Karacasu, is based on local craftsmen's narratives and is now produced to order.
Geographical Indication and Legal Status
Karacasu Pottery is registered as a “designation of origin” product under Turkish Industrial Property Law No. 6769. According to the registration, the use of clay sourced from the region and the completion of all production stages within the Karacasu geographical boundaries are mandatory. Inspections are carried out regularly each year by relevant institutions.
