Fayoum hand-painted ceramic bowl · Cobalt ginkgo

Hand-painted Egyptian ceramic bowl from the Fayoum Pottery School, Tunis village. Wheel-thrown from Nile Valley clay, the large footed form is adorned with stylised cobalt blue ginkgo leaves on crimson stems across an ivory ground, framed by a warm terracotta rim. A striking piece this piece showcasing the joyful oasis-inspired aesthetic of Fayoum ceramic artistry. Generous enough for salads, fruit, or as a centrepiece bowl.

The Craft. This bowl is wheel-thrown from clay sourced from the Nile Valley in Aswan and shaped into footed form before the ginkgo leaf motif is applied entirely by hand - each stylised leaf painted in cobalt blue with confident, deliberate brushstrokes requiring precise control of the brush to maintain the clean separation of tones. A clear glaze is applied over the entire piece before kiln firing, developing a subtle lustre across the painted surface that deepens the richness of the cobalt and the warmth of the crimson stems.

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.

The Maker. Mahmoud Yousef eagerly joined the Fayoum Pottery School at age of ten, though his love of clay began earlier when he played on his family's farm, using clay to model the rich wildlife of the oasis. He continues to work with clay today, as stylised animal and vegetal motifs, particularly the jolly donkey, keep springing from his steady hand.