Ceramic refractories are by definition high-performance materials. This article describes and discusses a refractory crucible from India, whose composition varies within a limited range and effectively meets the process requirements for the melting of high-carbon iron in a reducing atmosphere. The crucible controlled chemical and physical processes during the melting of an iron charge, to produce an ingot which was essentially white cast iron of high carbon content. The ingot was transformed by heat treatment and during the forging process into steel that was particularly suitable for sharply edged tools. The crucible was not only sufficiently refractory to withstand long-term firing, but also had insulating properties which slowed the cooling rate of the molten metal at the end of the firing, thereby producing the distinctive crystal structure of the so-called wootz steel. The brittle structure of the crucible, which could be broken after firing, enabled retrieval of the ingot. The observed thermomechanical properties of this refractory thus were well adapted to the manufacturing process.