Calico Ceramics
Calico ceramics are beautiful, hand-crafted works of art that are made by the native inhabitants of Maeisha, one of the larger islands among The Isles of Basilla. The rarest calico ceramic as of now is a set of pure ivory, gold-trimmed teacups that are decorated with floral patterns inlaid with ruby and sapphire dust. The teapot also bears the floral patterns, but is feline-shaped with two emeralds acting as the eyes. The head is removable to place tea blends inside of it and one paw is raised, acting as the teapot's spout. This set was the last art ever to be created by Vosya Kiisu, an artist known for her casual use of gemstones and other luxurious resources.
History
The art of calico ceramics dates back to ancient times and emerged from the Calico Springs region of Maeisha, one of the larger islands within The Isles of Basilla. Given the need for pottery that was strong, durable, and long-lasting, the ancient villagers made stoneware rather than earthenware. The high temperatures that needed to be sustained inside of the kilns was maintained by the druids of the village. The crafting of ceramics was a community affair and the pieces were passed down through their families for multiple generations. Early pottery from this region, while decorated, was much simpler in its design. Ceramics were intended to be used daily and would often be left in sunlight for extended periods of time, leading any paintings on the exterior to fade quickly.
With modern Catfolk society growing and blossoming, calico ceramics began to evolve, eventually becoming a full-blown artform for the inhabitants of Maeisha. While stoneware is still the primary form of ceramics from this region, porcelain is a popular export from the island. Calico porcelain is known to be stronger than porcelains crafted elsewhere due to the inclusion of bone ash in their clay mixtures. This ash is ground from the bones of wild animals that were since cleaned and heated in a kiln for sterilization purposes.
Calico ceramics are known nowadays for their unrestrained use of color, as well as their sturdiness. Each piece is painted to depict flowers, animals, and other natural gifts within the world. These pieces of art find their way into families all over the archipelago and Sicily, though it's rumored that some can be found on the mainland. Unfortunately for many art collectors, most of the calico ceramics found on the mainland have been counterfeits. The most popular pieces tend to be teacup sets, which come with teapots that are uniquely shaped when compared to the cups.
Significance
Calico ceramics started as a form of art that was a bonding experience for whole communities. To ancient catfolk, the pieces that were passed down through their families were a symbol of love and when not in use, the ceramics were often put on display beside the fireplace, which served as the heart of their homes. In modern times, the significance of calico ceramics has unfortunately been twisted. Owning calico ceramics is a symbol of wealth and status among higher society. Artists such as Vosya Kiisu feed into this view, making the ceramics inaccessible to most commoners.
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