If you have ever seen a vase or plate painted in rich cobalt blue and turquoise on a white background, and felt immediately drawn to it, you have probably met Multan blue pottery, one of the most recognisable handicrafts in South Asia.
This guide explains what Multan blue pottery is, where it comes from, how it is made, and how to buy authentic pieces online.
What Is Multan Blue Pottery?
Multan blue pottery (also called Multani kashi) is a hand-painted glazed pottery produced in Multan, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Its defining feature is the vivid cobalt blue and turquoise painted by hand over a white base, in geometric, floral and arabesque patterns.
The white base gives the blue and turquoise a bright, luminous quality, and the result is a style of ceramic that looks at home in both modern and traditional interiors.
The History of Blue Pottery in Multan
Multan, known as Sheher-e-Awliya (the City of Saints), has been an important trading and pilgrimage city for centuries, sitting on routes that connected Central Asia, Persia and the Indian subcontinent. Blue-glazed ceramics and tilework are strongly associated with Persian and Central Asian art, and Multan’s craftsmen developed their own style from those influences.
You can see the tradition in the city’s historic architecture: Multan’s famous shrines are decorated with blue and white glazed tilework. Over time, the craft developed into a distinctly Multani art form that is still practised in the city today.
How Is Multan Blue Pottery Made?
Authentic Multan blue pottery is made by hand at every stage.
The process begins with shaping. The clay is shaped on a wheel or by hand into a bowl, vase, plate, mug or other form, then left to dry slowly.
Next, the piece is coated with a white base, which gives Multan blue pottery its signature background.
Then comes the most skilled part: hand painting. Using fine brushes, the artisan paints cobalt blue, turquoise and other accent colours directly onto the white surface. Patterns are painted freehand, and an experienced artisan can produce complex geometric designs without any guide.
Finally, the piece is kiln-fired, which fuses the colours and glaze into a glossy, lasting finish.
From start to finish, a single piece takes several days, including drying and firing.
What Makes Authentic Blue Pottery Different?
The popularity of the style has attracted imitations. Machine-printed pottery can look similar at a glance but lacks the depth and variation of hand-painting. With authentic Multani pottery, no two pieces are exactly alike: slight variations in line weight, spacing and colour are not defects but the signature of the human hand.
When buying online, look for a seller who states that pieces are made in Multan, shows real product photos, and can be contacted directly. Zayak Craft is a TDAP-registered exporter (Trade Development Authority of Pakistan) based in Multan.
Types of Multan Blue Pottery
Multan’s artisans make blue pottery in a wide range of forms, including:
- Vases: from small bud vases to tall decorative vases
- Plates and serving pieces: decorative plates, trays, rice dishes and bowls
- Mugs, tea sets and jug sets
- Lamp bases: hand-painted ceramic table lamps
- Home décor: wall-hanging pots, plant pots and candle burners
- Tiles: the traditional glazed tilework seen on Multan’s shrines
Where to Buy Authentic Multan Blue Pottery Online
Zayak Craft sells handmade Multan blue pottery and ships worldwide by tracked international courier. Fragile pieces are individually bubble-wrapped and packed in double-walled boxes. Delivery times by country are on our Shipping Policy page.
Browse the complete Multan Blue Pottery collection →
Caring for Your Blue Pottery
Multan blue pottery is durable but should be treated as fine ceramics:
- Hand wash only; dishwashers can damage the glaze over time
- Do not place in a microwave
- Avoid sudden temperature changes
- For decorative pieces, dust with a soft, dry cloth
With proper care, a piece of Multan blue pottery can last for generations.