A rare glimpse into traditional Ethiopian pottery and metalwork techniques from 1969
In short: This archival footage captures artisans in Addis Ababa practicing ancient craft methods. From hand-forming clay vessels to using blow torches on silver, the video documents the precise manual labor involved in creating everyday and ornamental objects in Ethiopia during the late 1960s.
Filmed on April 29, 1969, this reel provides a technical look at two distinct crafts. The pottery segment details the construction of a bowl, starting with a clay cone and moving through the addition of coils to form the neck and lip. It also shows the creation of a lidded dish, where the artisan uses a paddle and cloth or leaf to shape the lid so it fits the flange perfectly.
The second half of the footage shifts to a jeweler's workshop. Here, the process involves using a blow torch and an asbestos base to assemble silver components. The artisan is shown attaching a silver handle to a metal sphere, which is held in a wire nest while being heated.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ethiopia 1969 Reel 33 of 65
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