How to Make Indian Terra Cotta Dolls

Terra cotta is a ceramic material that has been used since ancient times. The term "terra cotta" literally means "baked earth;" it is named such because terra cotta is made from natural clay, which gives it its reddish-brown color. Since earth is abundant, terra cotta has long been a popular material in civilizations such as India, where it was used to make pots and even dolls. Indian terra-cotta dolls remain popular for home décor. Although they are termed "dolls," they are really more like statues, figurines or representations.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Terra cotta clay
• Carving tool
• Kiln
• Paint (optional)

How to Make Indian Terracotta Dolls

1. Tear off a chunk of terra-cotta clay and proceed to mold it with your hands to form a doll body. This is by far the most difficult step and the one that will take the most practice to master. Play with the clay until you have shaped your doll or artwork.

2. Set the formed clay aside and allow it to harden to a leathery stage, which should take between 10 and 15 minutes.

3. Carve indentations into the clay to represent the eyes, nose, mouth, clothing and other features. Add decorative flourishes to the clothing by drawing buttons and bows into the clay.

4. Allow the clay to dry completely once you have it carved and molded the way you want it. The clay should dry within a couple of hours.

5. Fire the terra cotta by placing the formed clay onto the shelf in the kiln. Heat the kiln to approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. When it reaches this temperature, turn the kiln off and allow the clay to cool completely within the cooling kiln.

6. Decorate the doll by painting it, or keep its natural color.

Tips & Warnings

• Refer to other dolls when attempting to form a doll with clay
• Temperature settings may vary among firing kilns.

References

• Dolls of India
• Create For Less