A stunning large Egyptian Fayoum ceramic dish, individually hand-thrown and hand-painted by artisan potter Mahmoud in the village of Tunis. Featuring five beautifully stylised palm trees, the distinctive El Nakhla design celebrates one of the most recognisable features of Egypt's Fayoum Oasis landscape.
Measuring an impressive 40 cm in diameter, this generously proportioned dish is a wonderful example of traditional Egyptian folk art. The expressive palm tree decoration, harmonious colours and spontaneous hand-painted details give it an extraordinary sense of character and individuality.
Beautiful enough to display as a decorative centrepiece, the dish also looks particularly striking on a large kitchen table, dresser or sideboard, where its intricate design can be fully appreciated.
Dimensions: 40 cm Diameter
Hand washing recommended
Avoid sudden changes in temperature
Hand-thrown and hand-painted earthenware
Design: El Nakhla - Five Stylised Palm Trees
Handmade by artisan potter Mahmoud
Origin: Tunis Village, Fayoum, Egypt
Model Number: NK001
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 wonderful simplicity and boldness of the five stylised palm trees. Their expressive shapes and beautifully balanced arrangement capture the spirit of Fayoum pottery, while the impressive 40 cm diameter makes this an especially striking decorative piece.
The combination of traditional craftsmanship, spontaneous decoration and individual character makes this a beautiful example of Egyptian artisan pottery.
Styling Tip
Display this generously sized dish as a centrepiece on a dining table or kitchen island, or place it on a sturdy plate stand against a wall to show off the five palm trees.
It also looks wonderful alongside other Egyptian Fayoum ceramics, where the different botanical and animal motifs create a colourful and eclectic collection.
SKU: 1694