MAKER
RG Jar Factory

ORIGIN
Vigan, Philippines

BIO

RG Jar Factory is one of the last surviving jar factories left in Vigan City’s neighborhood, Pagburnayan. In 1824, Chinese immigrants learned about the abundant source of clay in the landscape of Vigan and settled in the area beginning the pagbuburnay industry, which translates to “jar making”. 

The process is simple. Caribou are tied to trees and stomp on a mud mixture of marine sand, clay and water. After four hours, the resulting clay is sculpted by hand or on a pottery wheel. The wheel is powered by another person who spins it by foot while the artisan throws on the wheel. The sculpted piece is left to dry in fresh air, away from the sun for one to two weeks. After drying, the pieces are baked in a large 150-foot long oven for one day and night. 

VALUES