Pottery Centres In Crete

There were four villages in Crete in which a large section of the population lived from pottery, one in each prefecture: Kendri in Lassithi, Thrapsano in Heraklion, Margarites in Rethymnon and Nohia in Chania. We will present demographic and economic data on these villages for the year 1928, as they flourished between the wars and we have been able to collect good information for this period.

Kendri

Lassithi Prefecture, 10 km north of Ierapetra, population 500, 12 potters, population benefiting from the craft 30%.

It is said that the village of Kendri (“central”) took its name from the fact that it lies in the centre of the plain of Ierapetra. The potters worked there on a permanent basis, producing small vessels, particularly laines (jugs) and pitchers.

The pots produced were transported by boat from Ierapetra to the Mesara plain and from Pachia Ammos to Sitia.

The kilns were of the same design as those used at Thrapsano and located in the immediate environs of the village. There are clay deposits on the western slopes of Mt Thripti and around Kendri.

Each potter had two or three assistants, depending on production levels. In some kilns two potters worked together in partnership.

The mastoras and his assistants split the proceeds.

The shapes of vessels produced in Kendri differ from those found in the rest of Crete in certain details of fabrication. However, the techniques used and the names of tools and vessels are the same.

The centre virtually ceased production in the early 60s.

Thrapsano

Heraklion Prefecture, 25 km SE of Heraklion, population 1200, 26 potters, population benefiting from the craft 55%.

The village is named after “thrapsala” or potsherds, found in abundance around kilns. It is the largest potters’ centre in Crete, both demographically and professionally.

The information we have, dating back at least 150 years, conforms that the potters of Thrapsano were exclusively migratory. There were only a very few rough kilns in the village itself, for the use of elderly potters who produced small pots.

The potters of Thrapsano numbered far more pithos makers than those of Margarites, and were generally known for their perfect skill and artistry, acknowledged by all Cretan potters.

The potters of Thrapsano produced all forms of vessel with great skill and copied those used only in certain areas.

The vendemes and mass production in general ended in Thrapsano during the 60s. However, after 1980 increased demand for tourist ware and traditional pots for use as decoration led many potters to build kilns and renew production.

Small kilns dated to the Renaissance have been found in and around the modern village. These were used for the production of glazed ware. The existence of kilns in Thrapsano at that time means that at least some potters were based in the village permanently. However, this does not preclude the practice of vendema for glazed ware. A similar workshop has been found in the Mesara, while there is evidence of others in certain areas of Crete.

Margarites

Rethymnon Prefecture, 28 km. ESE of Rethymnon, population 700, 22 potters, population benefiting from the craft 40%.

There are two explanations for the name of the village. One is that a certain Queen Margarita of Eleftherna (an ancient city in the district of Mylopotamos) was enchanted by the beautiful area round the village and gave her jewels to the local inhabitants to build a village. Thus the new village was named after her.

The second, simpler possibility is that Margarites is named after the pretty spring flowers seen nearby – daisies. The village was the capital of the district of Mylopotamos.

The potters’ village is surrounded by some of the loveliest scenery in northern Rethymnon and was famous, until 1980, for the quality of its traditional architecture.

The potters here operated in almost exactly the same way as those of Thrapsano, but there were more permanent potters who produced small vessels. The pitharades set off in small groups for seasonal vendemes in distant regions.

Pottery Centres In Crete

Most locally-produced ware was transported by pack animals to Rethymnon and its environs, while the rest was sent to the Mesara (by the same means) because it fetched better prices there.

The vendema groups travelled across Crete (especially the central and western parts of the island), in the same areas as the potters from Thrapsano.

In spite of the rivalry with the Thrapsano potters, we do not know of any serious incidents taking place during this period.

The potters of Margarites were no less skilled that their fellow-craftsmen, copying or inventing various shapes of vessel to satisfy their customers.

The vessels produced at Margarites differ slightly from those of other centres as to shape and the reddish-brown slip used to create geometric or abstract patterns on the sides of certain types of pot.

Traditional production fell in the 60s. Seasonal migration stopped, but many craftsmen continued to make small vessels for use. Traders transported these by motor vehicle to the areas where they were still used. After 1980 the demand for “tourist products” provided incentives for a new generation of potters, who now produce miniatures of traditional types and copies of European forms.

Potters were established in Margarites long after the village was first built, as it can easily be dated by its three medieval churches.

Research in the village itself and the wider area of the old kilns (Krystalli) allows us to conclude that potters began to operate there during the medieval period, but never produced glazed pottery.

Nohia

Chania Prefecture, 27 km west of Chania, population 270, 21 potters, population benefiting from the craft 60%.

There is no local etymology for the strange name of the village. It may be an alternative form of the phrase “ta dohia” (the jars), pronounced in a similar way with the stress on the last syllable in some parts of Greece.

The potters of Nohia were permanently based in the village and mainly produced small vessels, distributed especially in the northern districts of the prefecture.

The kilns were completely different to those of the other centres, being rectangular and capped by a dome. Their relatively small size and their proximity to the source of clay (just 300 m. from the village) allowed the potters to work with very few assistants.

The pottery forms were the same as those found in the rest of the island, with the exception of the pitcher. The spherical shape, short neck and open mouth of this vessel is reminiscent of ancient amphoras.

Pottery production ceased in the early 1960s, a little earlier than in the other centres.