Fayoum Hand-painted ceramic bowl · Floral

Wheel-thrown from Nile Valley clay, this hand-painted Egyptian ceramic bowl from the Fayoum Pottery School features fern fronds painted in blue natural dyes against an ivory glaze - botanical motifs rendered in loose, expressive brushwork. Gently sloping sides lead to an unglazed terracotta foot that reveals the natural clay beneath. Glossy glazed interior and exterior.

The Craft. Made from clay sourced from the Nile Valley in Aswan, these bowls are shaped on the potter's wheel and decorated by hand using natural dyes that bring vibrant scenes and botanical elements to life. A clear glaze is applied over the finished decoration before the piece is fired in the kiln, sealing colour and surface in a single pass. The unglazed foot is left bare, exposing the warm terracotta clay beneath.

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. Former student of Evelyne Porret, Hakeem Nachlateen is a dedicated potter, spinning clay on a kick-wheel in his workshop on the main street of Tunis, Fayoum. He creates beautiful vessels adorned with blue leaves, which he fires in the kiln he built himself at the back of his workshop. His two sons are keenly learning the craft alongside him.