SAEDNEWS: Zonouz is one of the counties of East Azarbaijan province, near the county of Marand. There is a Kaolin mine near this region that has provided the possibility of pottery making in Zonouz which has economic importance, too.
At a time when Kaolin pottery was rare and the technology to make it existed only in China, the soil from Zonouz served as an alternative for creating high-quality ceramics.
Most pottery is glazed. A piece of pottery generally has two main parts:
The body – the main structure of the object.
The glaze – a glossy coating applied over the body, which both decorates the object and makes it resistant to water.
The body of the pottery varies depending on the region. In Zonouz, the primary material is Kaolin, excavated from the Bilolukh Mountains. These clods are processed into a fine white powder, then mixed with water to prepare the clay for kneading.
Once the desired shape is formed, Zonouz potters allow the objects to dry in the open air for a while. Then they paint the pottery with brushes. After drying, the pieces are soaked in a mixture of white glaze, which ensures the pottery remains white even after firing. White glaze is the most common base and is also used to create other glazes by mixing it with tin, lead, glass powder, and bicarbonate.
The pottery is decorated by young girls and women in Zonouz workshops. Using brushes and pigments, they paint beautiful motifs on pieces crafted by master potters.
Colors commonly used include blue, purple, yellow, ultramarine, gray, brown, and black. The region produces a wide range of items, such as:
Dish sets
Vases
Lamp bases and candle holders
Ashtrays
Tea sets
Frames and saucers
Bowls
Animal sculptures (mouflons, deer, horses, camels, chickens, panthers, dogs, pigeons)
Small figurines of horse riders
Zonouz pottery comes in both simple and painted forms, showcasing the skill and creativity of local artisans. Two of the most renowned masters who played a key role in reviving this craft are Abbas and Ahmad Ghabchi.
Through their work, Zonouz pottery continues to celebrate centuries-old techniques, combining natural materials, traditional craftsmanship, and vibrant artistry to create timeless ceramics admired around the world.
