Handmade in Egypt
Fayoum hand-painted ceramic mug · Burgundy floral
Egyptian ceramic mug handmade by artisan Mohamed Gom'a in Tunis, Fayoum. Wheel-thrown from Nile Valley clay, the mug is decorated by hand with expressive burgundy red floral motifs and touches of blue. The bold botanical brushwork reflects the artisan's distinctive red glaze technique - vibrant, spontaneous and deeply rooted in the oasis forms of Fayoum.
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The Craft. These pieces are wheel-thrown from clay sourced from the Nile Valley in Aswan and shaped into the footed form before the speckled ivory base glaze is applied. Each piece is decorated entirely by hand in a distinctive abstract style that departs from the more figurative tradition of Fayoum. A clear glaze is applied over the entire piece before kiln firing, sealing the painted surface in a fully glazed finish. The metallic quality of the red is the result of years of experimentation with firing temperatures and glaze chemistry - a signature achievement that makes these pieces immediately recognisable.
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. A student of Evelyne Porret, Mohamed Gum'a entered the Fayoum Pottery School as an eight-year old, after trading toy animals made from mud with Evelyne’s children. Mohamed is now a prominent Fayoum potter and teacher, who has focused on developing his firing technique and a distinctive red glaze.
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