Clay treasures from the North

Terracotta horseGive your home an ethnic makeover with these terracotta figurines, WHAT'S ON suggestsWhen you pass by ADK Fancy Emporium on Bhandarkar Road, you instantly spot the earthly hues of terracotta and clay pots that have been moulded in unusual shapes. They are ideal for your kitchen, garden and can even give your home decor the rustic Indian touch. What is even more surprising is that these beautiful works of art are priced reasonably and only cost between Rs 10 to Rs 600.Delhi is famous for traditional terracotta craft. A variety of earthen objects, such as lamps, money banks, flower vases, pots, kitchenware and other items are made there. They mix different types of clay for making these articles, which are then dried. Each item is given a shape and then shifted to the locally-made oven for the finished effect, says store manager Brijesh Kumar. They have clay products from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The potters from this region make animal figures, like horses and elephants, with hand-appliqued ornamentation. They also make figures of goddesses moulded into lamps, use mother and child motifs as well as other ritual objects. Khurja in Uttar Pradesh is famous for ceramic pottery. They use earthy colours like orange, brown and terracotta on a white background, adds Kumar.Range: They have products in both glazed and unglazed variety. While unglazed clay pottery has a rough and natural appearance, glazed pottery has intricate patterns and vivid designs. They keep lotus dishes, which are large bowls that can hold floating candles and flowers. They also store wind chimes, bells, laughing Buddhas, vases, elephants and cow-head water tubs, which are ideal gifts. We liked: A carved terracotta horse was very attractive. We also spotted a clay vase with the face of a lady carved on it. Another artefact that attracted our attention was the cut-work lamp.u00a0 At: ADK Fancy Emporium, near Sane Dairy, Bhandarkar Road, Deccan. Call 9975846503Open on all days, from 8 am to 8 pmPrices:Wind Chime: Rs 100 Lotus Dish: Rs 300Terracotta Elephants: Rs 150Clay stands: Rs 500Bells: Rs 40 to Rs 50 Cow-head water pots: Rs 400Vases Rs 400 to Rs 600