For over 25,000 years, humans across the globe have shaped, decorated, and fired clay. Despite great differences in location and time, universal themes appear in the world's ceramic traditions, including religious influences, human and animal representations, and mortuary pottery. In Global Clay: Themes in World Ceramic Traditions, noted pottery scholar John A. Burrison explores the recurring artistic themes that tie humanity together, explaining how and why those themes appear again and again in worldwide ceramic traditions. The book is richly illustrated with over 200 full-color, cross-cultural illustrations of ceramics from prehistory to the present. Providing an introduction to different styles of folk pottery, extensive suggestions for further reading, and reflections on the future of traditional pottery around the world, Global Clay is sure to become a classic for all who love art and pottery and all who are intrigued by the human commonalities revealed through art.

Author: John A. Burrison
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 12/04/2017
Pages: 356
Weight: 2.95lbs
Size: 10.10h x 8.20w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780253031884


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 01/01/2018
Choice 07/01/2018

About the Author

John A. Burrison is Regents Professor of English and Director of the Folklore Curriculum at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He is the author of numerous books, including From Mud to Jug: The Folk Potters and Pottery of Northeast Georgia and Roots of a Region: Southern Folk Culture.