VERMASSE TERRACOTTA POTTERY

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Famous “Vermasse” terracotta pottery from remote East Timor Island, Indonesia, is one of a kind, completely handcrafted (centuries old process) and adorned with motifs in relief combined with geometrical designs reminiscent of American Indian Pottery (usually of men or animals, geckoes etc) & hand-painted with local inhancing natural color pigments. Unique collector items, these are a true work of primitive art and extremely decorative. These old vintage pots (collected decades ago), are not found on the premisses anymore since most were destroyed, during the confrontation between East and West Timor, and are much prettier than the ones produced today. 

It came from the Vermasse region of Timor and was used by the natives of Manatuto to boil water on an outside fire in order to make it ready for human consumption ( water borne diseases are a major problem in East Timor, the traditional solution is still to boil the water to make it safe).

This pot, which was made with a fine red clay mix combined with river sand & rice husk ash sieved thru a fly screen and formed by hand, still bears some charcoal black marks on the outside from the burns of bonfires made from cow manure, burns which add to its charm and authenticity.

We carry custom made display stands for them also.