The Black-Coloured Clay Pot is also one of the finest traditional articles of the Phom Naga tribe, which is one of the prominent Naga ethnic groups found mainly in the Longleng district of Nagaland, Northeast India. The people belonging to Phom are great potters and craftsmen who create functional and artistic objects for everyday life and cultural expression. This particular type of pot is small in size and with that typical black colour which is obtained by firing or baking clay in a manner that prevents the exposure to oxygen during the process-an age-old method that not only strengthens the pot but leaves it with a polished, dark finish. The mouth of the pot is circular, and just below the rim, the surface is decorated with straight, lineal designs; adding elegance to the vessel, and instilling a sense of identity into it. The middle part of the pot is wide and bulbous so that it can contain liquids or small amounts of food.
The base is oval for balance with a stable resting surface. The shape allows even distribution of heat during cooking and is most suitable in traditional Phom households for food preparation and serving. These types of pots are not merely collectible but also very significant as they portray the lifestyle of the Phoms: sustainable living and deep-rooted craftsmanship that have been shaped by generations of skill and cultural knowledge. These vessels are also preserved in collections such as the Indian Museum, Kolkata, making them of historic significance too, as part of Naga tribal heritage.