Comparison Between Egyptian and Mayan Pottery
| Criteria | Egyptian Pottery | Ancient Mayan Pottery |
|---|---|---|
| Images | 
| 
|
| Techniques | - Pre-Dynastic Period - Hand made red wares produced in Nubia without a potter's wheel,
they were made by hollowing out a lump of clay and pinching it to give it's final form Artifacts were then dried in the sun and finally varnished with a stone, to achieve a smooth shiny surface - Early Dynastic Period - A flat tool was used to press the clay against the other hand, this simple procedure produced thin-walled vessels. Pottery was then decorated with engraved drawings of boats and crocodiles. It was then fired in simple kilns. - Old Kingdom - invention of the potter wheel (rotated by hand). the clay was prepared more carefully achieving better consistency, and the kilns were improved. As a result pottery was more symmetrical and the surface has a homogenous color. Enamel was applied to smoothen the surface and color the earthenware, it consisted of slip (a mixture of water and clay). | - A potter's wheel was not used by the Mayans. Instead, Mayans used coil and slab techniques.
|
| Use | - Decorated Religious artifacts:
Undecorated daily use vessels: primitive and undecorated clay bowls, vases, jars and pots | - Practical shapes to create vessels to carry liquids and food
- Limited religious role in pottery |
| Materials | Dark earthenware and stoneware | Earthenware only
|
| External coat | - Enameled pottery was made from small steatite and clay artifacts, covered with colored enamel - True glazed pottery was made in Roman times | - Glazing was never applied
- Clay slips (mixture of clays and minerals) were used to decorate the pottery. |
| Patron Deity | Khnum - The Great Potter | secular pottery - no patron god |
Video: Old Cairo's Potters
Makram Ahmed Hussein began working in the pottery craft in Egypt's Old Cairo district of Fustat at a young age. His family was poor; learning a trade as a ch......