Pottery is the earliest craft done by man. A pot was made to fulfill the needs of everyday life and spiritual purposes. In Malaysia, early use of pottery is mainly for storage of food and water, besides ot her domestic functions such as decoration. The uniqueness of pottery is measured by its shape and pattern.
Traditionally, nature which comprises earth,water, wind and sun provides the inspiration to the pot maker while motives of flora, fauna and geometrics are the adorning attractions which change with the flow of time and era.
“One of the most famous pitchers is the Labu Sayong, which is black in colour and can be found in Sayong, in the district of Kuala Kangsar, Perak.”
The mere mention of the name Sayong evokes the image of the famous black gourd-shaped clay pitcher. The idea of creating this gourd-shaped clay pitcher originated from the use of actual matured pumpkins to store water, after the contents had been removed and the inside cleaned. In the past, Labu Sayong was widely used to store drinking water by the Malays. The amazing thing about this black clay pitcher is that it keeps the water cool and is believed to help prevent illness and stomach disorder.
The making of the Labu Sayong emphasises the elements of nature, from the use of the clay right to the technique of shaping it with the hands. The surface design is usually made up of nature-inspired motifs and harmonious geometric shapes.
Till this day, Labu Sayong is greatly admired, not only for its utility, but for its beauty and aesthetic quality.
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