A wonderfully decorative Egyptian Fayoum ceramic salad bowl, individually hand-thrown and hand-painted by artisan potter Hakeem in the village of Tunis. Featuring a charming stylised bird perched on a traditional long-horned Egyptian Baladi cow, set above a palm tree, the design reflects the rural life, natural beauty and traditional folk art of Egypt's Fayoum Oasis.
With its generous proportions, beautifully expressive decoration and individual character, this distinctive bowl makes a striking decorative centrepiece. The playful combination of the bird, cow and palm tree captures the wonderfully imaginative spirit of Fayoum pottery and celebrates the creativity of its maker.
Dimensions: 33 cm Diameter
Hand washing recommended
Avoid sudden changes in temperature
Hand-thrown and hand-painted earthenware
Design: Baladi Cow, Bird and Palm Tree
Handmade by artisan potter Hakeem
Origin: Tunis Village, Fayoum, Egypt
Each piece is individually handmade, with natural variations in shape, colour, glaze and decoration.
Traditional Egyptian Fayoum Pottery
This beautiful Egyptian pottery is handmade in the small oasis village of Tunis in Fayoum, using traditional techniques and local materials, including clay sourced from Aswan in the Nile Valley.
The revival of pottery in Tunis is closely associated with Swiss-born ceramic artist Evelyne Porret, who established the Fayoum Pottery School in the 1980s. Her work helped introduce new generations of local artisans to traditional pottery techniques and distinctive decorative styles.
Today, Tunis is renowned for its community of independent pottery workshops, where skilled artisans create wonderfully individual ceramics inspired by the surrounding oasis landscape.
Birds, flowers, palm trees and other elements of the natural world feature prominently in the designs, often interpreted in a charmingly free and naïve style. Each piece celebrates the creativity of its maker, with subtle variations in form, pattern and colour making every item unique.
Why We Love It
We love the wonderfully expressive character of Fayoum pottery, particularly the playful depiction of the traditional Egyptian Baladi cow and its little feathered companion. The combination of traditional craftsmanship, spontaneous hand-painted decoration and beautiful earthy colours gives these ceramics a warmth and individuality that is difficult to replicate.
Styling Tip
Display this generously sized bowl as a decorative centrepiece on a kitchen table, sideboard or console, where its distinctive hand-painted design can be fully appreciated. It also looks particularly lovely alongside other Egyptian Fayoum ceramics, creating an eclectic collection of colours, patterns and traditional folk art.
SKU: 1559