Ceramic plate · Fayoum · Ivory

Whimsical small ceramic plate featuring stylised motifs showcasing village scenes of the daily life in Saharan oasis, with red, blue and red details on off-white glaze. A charming folk art accent piece that brings authentic Fayoum craftsmanship to the table, it works perfectly as a side dish or trinket holder.

The Craft. Made from clay sourced from the Nile Valley in Aswan, these bowls are shaped on the potter's wheel and decorated with natural dyes that bring vibrant scenes to life. Palm fronds, birds and figures are glazed into joyful permanence using techniques revived by the Fayoum Pottery School. The artisans employ special glazes and even the Japanese raku technique, combining ancient Egyptian pottery traditions with contemporary methods. Each piece reflects the creative spirit of Tunis village, where pottery-making has been transformed from a nearly lost craft into a thriving artistic tradition.

The Heritage. Although pottery-making was widespread in Egypt during Pharaonic times, by the late 20th century decreasing demand had led to the craft's near disappearance. Life in the farming village of Tunis in the verdant Fayoum oasis took a dramatic turn in the 1980s when Swiss-born potter Evelyne Porret made the village her home. Together with her husband Michel Pastore, she opened the Fayoum Pottery School, inspiring the village children to tap into their creative potential. Today, those students have opened their own workshops, exhibiting true artistic talent and reverence for their mentor whilst keeping the ancient craft alive.

Maker. Mahmoud Yousef was a student of Evelyne Porret, eagerly joining the Fayoum Pottery Schools at the age of seven. His love of clay started before joining the School, when as a child he was playing on his family's farm using clay to model the rich wildlife of the oasis. He continues to play with clay to this day as stylised animal and vegetal motifs, in particular the jolly donkey, keep springing from his steady hand.