Wide-mouth earthen pots like this are traditional utility articles of the Khampti tribe, an indigenous Tai ethnic group inhabiting primarily the eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India. The pot is recognized as one originating from Assam and is an exceptional example of the enduring pottery tradition of the Khampti, whose emphasis is on the merger of practical utility with cultural bearings. The pot is fashioned from locally available natural clay in an artisanal way. This distinguishes it from similar articles with the midsection set off by a ridge for structural and decorative purposes. With a flat circular base for stability, the profuselywide mouth is well adapted for pouring, scooping, or containing anything-water, food grains, ritual items, and medicinal herbs.
An earthen pot of this kind usually would be sun-dried and low-fired, thereby maintaining a porous texture to cool and preserve the contents. The Khampti connect the art of pottery to daily life and special worship. Something such as this pot is for household and special ceremonies, creating a close relationship between the tribe with nature and the sustainability. Pottery is a form of art handed down through generations, production often taking place within a community or family to safeguard indigenous craftsmanship. Therefore, this earthen pot is more than utility; it stands as an expression of Khampti culture, where functional use, aesthetic beauty, and appreciation of nature have been integrated to create handcrafted traditions.