The uniqueness of Fergana ceramics‌‌

Rich in natural resources, the region belongs to the most populated in Central Asia and has been a cradle of many crafts, in particular silk farming and pottery, for centuries. It was also where the most important ceramic production centres developed over the centuries, the best known of which is Rishtan in Uzbekistan. 

Fergana ceramics, similarly to the products of Khorezm-based makers, sport light blue colours in a variety of shades achieved with the use of the radiant alkalic ishkor glaze. In comparison to the imposing and less diverse forms of Khorezm ceramics, the Fergana vessels come in a greater variety of types and shapes, and are decorated in richly intricate ornamentation. 
 

They also have more varied uses. Among the sophisticated vessel types made in the region there are kosa soup bowls used in particular to serve the popular meat and vegetable sharp, kosacha cups and large dukki-kosa bowls used to serve confiture and other sweets. Also popular are different receptacles for storing milk. The most frequently used types are churma vessels with two handles and a lid and similar kunchulok and zaguldon containers for soured milk. Also produced in the region are oftoba jugs for serving water and large khum pitchers used to store it.
 

Fergana ceramics feature characteristic rich and varied ornamentation dominated by diverse stylised organic motifs, differing between each Uzbek and Tajik production centre, or tight cobalt criss-cross pattern applied to plates and cups. Their common denominator is a palette of blues, ranging from light azure to dark cobalt, with tints of green and brown.

More information about this can be found in the book-album "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the Museums of Poland" (volume XL) from the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World".

The general sponsor of the project is the oilfield service company Eriell-Group.