Ceramic bowl · Fayoum · Forest green & blue

Tapered footed ceramic bowl featuring hand-painted abstract leaf motifs in green wiith dark blue accents. This piece showcases the elegant botanical brushwork of Fayoum potters, outlined in fine detail. The rich green glaze and organic design make it perfect for serving appetisers and side dishes or as a decorative piece celebrating the natural beauty of the Saharan oasis.

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. Rawya ‘Abd al-Qader is a skilled ceramicist and the first woman in Fayoum to have her own workshop. She started playing with clay at the ager of 12 and under Evelyne’s tutelage grew into a serious artist, exhibiting abroad already at the age of 16. Rawya trained others in the village, including her younger brothers, and has served as a role model of determination for young women and girls in the village, with at least nice women potters now working in Tunis, including Rawya’s daughter, Sara.