The Original Ceramica negra de la Chamba
a handmade & honest production, made with respect & tradition at the centre.
Our black pottery is handmade in La Chamba in the region of Tolima in Colombia, one of the most renowned ceramic center in Colombia. As its economy is based on agricultural production, 85% of the people living in the village work together to create ceramics, using techniques that have been passed on by their ancestors for many generations.
The artisans source a specific type of clay from the shores of the Rio Magdalena river. Once the clay is molded into its desired form, they are dried in the sun and then polished with precious agate pebble stones.
The objects are then placed in the oven at 800°C and cooked for several hours.
Finally, the artisans start the smoking process, using a combination of dried local spices. This final step gives the pottery its iconic black color.
Origin of la Chamba
The first people to inhabit the Magdalena river valley were the Poinco of the Pijao culture. They made ceramic pieces for utilitarian and ceremonial purposes. For this reason, at the beginning of the 20th century the pottery of La Chamba had the characteristics of this indigenous culture.
