La Chamba is actually a village in Colombia, and the clay for the pieces comes from the mines around La Chamba and other local villages. The pottery has been made by the native South American Indians since pre-Colombian times, and the techniques have been carried through to today. The men of the villages collect the clay and sell the pieces, but tradition dictates that the creation of the pieces must only be undertaken by the women. These divine artisan pots, originally made for domestic and religious purposes, can now grace your kitchen, offering you a piece that will not only be supremely useable, but thoroughly spectacular and steeped in history.The pots are hand-shaped from the special dark grey clay, and finished with a fi
ne terracotta and some dried grasses and herbs. Burnishing combined with a high-temperature kiln firing gives the exquisite black appearance. This traditional way of forming the pieces means no two are identical. My personal favourites are the round casseroles: there is something about their rotundity that makes me imagine them in their homelands, brimming with Ajiaco (never let it be said that I don't have a vivid imagination...). We also have oval platters and baking dishes, available in a number of shapes and sizes. If any questions remain in your mind as to the practicality of La Chamba, let me tell you that it can be used on the stove, in the oven, in the microwave and under a grill (broiler); that you can put it over an open flame, on the barbeque, and on electric or gas cooktops. Use wooden utensils on your La Chamba to ensure the long life of its superb apprearance.
La Chamba makes a distinctive, memorable gift, or a practical and striking piece for your own kitchen. Our online shop is not quite up-to-date with the current styles in-store, so please give us a call, or drop in to the shop, if you see a piece which catches your eye.
