Local Products

Sarawak Pottery

Sarawak possesses one of the richest deposit of fine quality clay in the world. The earliest pottery maker in Sarawak came from China as immigrants in the beginning of twentieth century and settled around Tanah Putih area (the present Pending ) as they found clay reserves that are suitable for pottery making.

During that era, rubber plantation was one of the main occupation and these migrated potters survived by making and selling earthen cup for rubber tapping. Towards Nineteen fifties when construction industry started to boom, some of these potters diversified into brick making and other clay related businesses to cater for the demand for building materials.

It was during the seventies that it eventually evolved from building-material into decorative items. As economy stabilizes and the standard of living improved, pottery in Sarawak developed into a range of highly decorative vases and soon turned into unique souvenirs for tourists as well when Sarawakian ethnic designs are incorporated, hence giving birth to that popular Sarawak pottery we see on the shelves of the souvenir shops today.