The Potter's Art

by Henry Glassie

Book Overview

"Coming into being, the work of art, this very pot, creates relations--relations between nature and culture, between the individual and society, between utility and beauty. Governed by desire, the artist's work answers questions of value. Is nature favored, or culture? Are individual needs or social needs more important? Do utilitarian or aesthetic concerns dominate in the transformation of nature?" --from the Introduction

The Potter's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253213568
• ISBN13: 9780253213563
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A great work, for professional and layman alike!

Henry Glassie has done it again! Professor Glassie's contributions to the field of material culture studies are well known in the field, and this work is no exception. In this book, Glassie takes a look at pottery manufacturing in 6 regions of the world -- Turkey, Bangladesh, the American Southwest and Georgia (U.S.), Japan and Sweden. However, Glassie does not simply look at ceramic production. Instead, the art and tradition embodied in clay, and the lives of the potters themselves, are at issue for Glassie. In addition to being a great introduction to pottery production in these regions, this book provides marvelous photographs of potters and their craft. This is an excellent book for professionals potters, archaeologists, or anyone interested in pottery, ceramics, or living traditions!