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Pottery |
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Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p. 125. |
Pottery, Rasheiyet el
Fukhar
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This place, as its name implies, is famous for its potter's clay. Its furnaces
are dome-shaped and capable of burning enormous jars. The potter, mounted on a
high seat, sets the wheel in motion with his foot and shapes the clay with his
hand. The man beyond is adding handles to the jars . . . .A foreigner visiting
the different cities of Syria is surprised at the amount of ware of this kind
that is exposed for sale, and also at the remarkable variety in the size and
shape of the various articles. The trade of the potter in Palestine is always
good, because what he produces is always in demand. Were these articles costly,
the case might be different; but, on the contrary, the necessary ones are within
the means of the poorest person. Four small water-coolers can be bought for a
penny . . . .(Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p. 125-127.) |
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Kiln Where Pottery is Baked |
Source: Matson Collection. |
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Something more than half an hour to the
right from the bed of Wâdy Khureibeh is a
village of considerable size called Râsheiyet
el Fŭkhâr.
The potteries of this place are celebrated
throughout Syria. The pottery is carried south
into Palestine, east into the Haurân and the
markets of Damascus, north to Hums (Emessa)
and Hamah (Hamath), and west to the cities of
the sea-coast. All kinds of household vessels
are made here, and some of the articles are
highly ornamented. Considering how remote in
the mountains this village is, and the
unusually rugged and difficult paths which
connect it with any possible market, and also
the fact that all this fragile stuff has to be
transported on the backs of mules and donkeys,
it is a wonder that any of it ever reaches its
destination in a perfect state. (Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, pp. 126.) |
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Source: Matson Collection. |
Potter |
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The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 "Arise, and go down to the potter's house,
and there I will let you hear my words." 3 So
I went down to the potter's house, and there
he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel
he was making of clay was spoiled in the
potter's hand, and he reworked it into another
vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O
house of Israel, can I not do with you as this
potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold,
like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you
in my hand, O house of Israel . . . .11 Now,
therefore, say to the men of Judah and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem: 'Thus says the LORD,
behold, I am shaping disaster against you and
devising a plan against you. Return, every one
from his evil way, and amend your ways and
your deeds.' (Jeremiah 18:1-6, 11; ESV.) |
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See
Houses,
Marketplace,
Carpentry, or Textiles |
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