1. Old use, contemporary inspiration
Jomon Pottery
Old use, contemporary inspiration

2. Oldest Pottery in the World
The pottery vessels crafted in Ancient Japan during the Jōmon period are generally accepted to be the oldest in the world.
They are not, however, the oldest ceramic objects, which are figurines such as the Venus of Dolní Věstonice discovered in what is today the Czech Republic

3. Venus of Dolní Věstonice

4. Characteristics
The majority of Jōmon pottery has rounded bottoms and the vessels are typically small.
Later Jōmon pottery pieces are more elaborate, especially during the Middle Jōmon period.
The name Jōmon itself means “rope-patterned”.

5. Incipient Jomon period from 10,000-7,000 BC

6. Incipient Jomon period from 10,000-7,000 BC

7. Jomon Pot
BC, from Chiyonohara.  Tokyo National Museum.
Jomon pots were hand-turned, not made on a wheel, and marked with cord impressions. Cord marking has a practical, as well as an esthetic, affect - it prevents cracking when the pot is fired.

8. deep vessel with rings for hanging middle jomon tsunagi, iwate

9. Flamboyant Jomon Pot
BC, from Umataka  Tokyo National Museum.
Pottery like this raises profound questions about cultural identity and difference in early Japan. Its baroque decoration contrasts wildly to the Yayoi aesthetic, of elegant simplicity, that has dominated Japan ever since.

11. Comtemporary Artists inspired by Jomon pottery

12. ALAN J. SEROTA

13. Peggy Nadeau

14. Peggy Nadeau

17. Dax Mench

20. Rhonda Balding

21. Today’s Studio Objective
Build two pots using coil building techniques
One should be at least 8” tall
One should be bowl shaped
At least one of these two should have a smoothed surface.
At least one of these two should have some decorative element besides the coils.

22. Bibliography