The handmade pottery from la Chamba, a village in Tolima, Colombia dates back more than 500 years to pre-Columbian times. Most of the population is dedicated to making clay pots for cooking and the craft has been handed down from generation to generation. The products are distinguished by their clean lines and black silky sheen, the result of lengthy hand burnishing. The cookware is microwave proof, can be in direct contact with heat sources (stoves and gas rings), and retains heat and flavor well.