Clay Hogs
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT A SOUVENIR
Along Hogsback's main road, you'll often find the local "hogsellers" displaying their handmade creations. Their most famous works are the iconic clay hogs that inspired their nickname, but they also craft horses, tortoises, guinea fowl, deer, traditional huts, and many other animals in all shapes and sizes.
The sculptures are made from unfired clay, carefully smoothed to a glossy reddish-brown finish and decorated with intricate white painted patterns. Many feature details made from natural grasses, such as the manes and tails of horses.
The artisans also create distinctive walking sticks, often made from wattle branches. After removing the bark and shaping the wood, they patiently burn decorative patterns into each stick using heated metal tools warmed over roadside fires.
Usually found between the Arboretum and Red Clay, the hogsellers are often eager to share their work and greet visitors with a smile. For many, these crafts provide an important source of income. Before leaving Hogsback, consider taking home one of these unique handmade souvenirs and supporting a local artisan.
