Page 13 - DILMUN 9

PO 7TERT-HAKIN6

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A'MI

By Patricia Gibbs

Photographs by Mr. Chris Maier

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Pottery has been produced in A’Ali for
hundreds of years ; the methods of production
have changed little over the course of time.
The ware, up to now has been unglazed, a
feature which in our time has lead to such a
decline in the sales of pottery that what was
once a trade is now only a tourist attraction.
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The powder is immersed in salty
water, screened again and left as slurry to
mature for two days. When .this relatively
short maturation is over, the clay is kneaded,
using both feet and hands, for up to four hours
. -• to exclude all air. Lumps weighing between
ten to fifteen kilos are taken for use on the
wheel.
Process of Manufacture at A’Ali. Clay is
dug at Rifa’a and taken to the pottery as small
hard lumps where it is ground and sieved into
powder.
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