Smoke-Kissed Elegance: Chipuelo's Centuries-Old Ceramic Tradition

130 artisans from the Colombian community of Chipuelo, the Municipality of El Guamo in the Department of Tolima, uphold a centuries-old tradition of crafting utilitarian ceramics. This cherished craft, passed down through generations for over 300 years, remains a cornerstone of the community's identity and livelihood.

 The artisans of Chipuelo engage in a meticulous and labor-intensive process, involving every member of the community. From gathering raw materials to the final touches, each step is performed with skill and dedication. Clay is meticulously sourced, ground, and mixed to create a uniform paste, which is then skillfully shaped using traditional techniques such as rolling, pinching, and molding, with minimal reliance on tools.

 What sets Chipuelo Ceramics apart is their distinctive smoking technique, which imparts a rich, smoky hue to the finished pieces. After shaping, the ceramics undergo a burnishing process, where the application of varnish and the use of precious stones enhance the gloss. The pieces are then fired in clay ovens fueled by firewood, reaching temperatures of 700°C to 750°C for several hours.

 To achieve the coveted black color, artisans employ a unique smoking method involving cow or horse manure. Sealing the pieces in containers with the burning manure allows carbon monoxide to permeate the clay, resulting in the desired hue. This meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to traditional techniques have earned Chipuelo artisans a reputation for producing high-quality ceramics renowned for their beauty and craftsmanship.