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Chlorite schist Artifacts
Of the locally produced pottery, chlorite schist deserves to be
mentioned.
Produced in Madagascar in areas with soapstone quarries, it
comes from a rock whose particularity is the fact that it is malleable
at extraction, but hardens upon contact with air.
Chlorite schist utensils have been widely distributed throughout the
island, as well as in neighbouring countries (Comoros, east coast
of Africa).
Many different types of artifacts have been made out of this
material, but the most well-known are incense burners and tripod
pots.
These utensils were a lot more valuable than those made of local
pottery. If damaged or cracked, chlorite schist utensils were
repaired as evidenced by hole marks made when trying to mend
the broken edges.
Extracted in some quarries in Madagascar,
chlorite schist is also known as steatite or
soapstone. It is malleable upon extraction
but will harden in direct contact with air.
The Malagasy word, vatodidy (lit. striated
stone), reflects this feature.
It was used to manufacture many different
types of utensils that were widely
disseminated throughout Madagascar
and exported to the Comoros and the east
coast of Africa.
Many types of artifacts were made out
of this material, but the most famous are
incense burners and tripod pots. These
utensils were certainly more valuable
than those made out of local clay. This
is proven by the fact that chlorite schist
utensils were repaired when damaged,
as evidenced by the marks of holes made
when trying to patch pieces together.
Ch l or i t e sch i s t (Soaps t one )
