New trends in colour and design redefining pottery

Manar Youssry talks to Ahram Online about a two-decade experience putting fired clay to many tables in Cairo.

It's a slow Ramadan afternoon at Awan (The Time), a small store on a typically busy road in Maadi. The shop has an eye-catching array of colourful mugs, pots, plates, and other pottery tableware. Manar Youssry, the store's owner, inspects the latest arrivals, which are delivered just in time for the season.

"Pottery tableware has become very fashionable. People love choosing pieces for specific seasons—Christmas, Ramadan, Eid, Easter, and more," Youssry says. "With advancements in pottery-making and colouring techniques, we now see designs tailored for different occasions."

Youssry has embraced shades of blue and classic blue-and-white floral patterns for Ramadan. "When pottery tableware first became popular in the city about 25 years ago, options were limited to single-colour pieces, and even those colours were quite restricted," she recalls. "Today, a wide range of colours and intricate designs are imprinted on mugs and plates, appealing to diverse tastes."

This design evolution, she believes, has played a significant role in the growing popularity of pottery tableware. "Moving from narrow brownish shades to a much broader selection has expanded the market considerably," she explains.

With increased demand, more artisans have entered the field, training new potters and introducing fresh designs. "Some people appreciate the rough edges of handmade pottery, seeing them as part of the charm, but not everyone feels the same way," Youssry notes.

Working with multiple suppliers who present their designs ahead of each season, Youssry acknowledges that achieving factory-standard uniformity in handmade pottery is nearly impossible. "There have been significant improvements in creating sets of plates and mugs that are nearly identical in size and print, but they will never be 100 percent the same. These are handmade pieces," she says.

Beyond aesthetics, pricing has also contributed to pottery's rising popularity. Youssry estimates that a complete pottery tableware set is often significantly cheaper than a similar porcelain set. "Of course, prices vary depending on quality. Sometimes, a pottery set can be more expensive than porcelain, but generally, it's the more affordable option," she explains.

Youssry credits social media, particularly Instagram, for making pottery tableware a trend. "People now get shopping ideas—especially for gifts—through social media. Even if they don't buy online, they browse online for inspiration," she says. The increased visibility of high-end and budget-friendly pottery has helped expand the market.

However, Youssry believes pottery's resurgence is also tied to its deep roots in Egyptian culture. "Pottery-making, especially for tableware, has been a part of our heritage for centuries. It just fell out of fashion for a while, and now it's making a strong comeback," she says.

The revival is closely linked to changing lifestyles, particularly among the upper middle class, which forms the largest market for high-end pottery. "Over the past 25 years, more people have acquired summer houses and winter chalets, seeking tableware that complements the relaxed vibe of a holiday home. This has driven the market to diversify and grow," she explains.

Competition from imported pottery—especially from Mediterranean countries that have modernised their industry—has also pushed local artisans to enhance their designs and craftsmanship. "It became clear that if Egyptian potters wanted a solid share of the market, they had to step up their game," she says.

Youssry points out that the pottery revival didn't start with tableware. "Initially, it was more about cache pots and home décor items. As more people bought houses with gardens and terraces, they needed stylish decorative pieces," she explains.

While high-end pottery has long dominated the market, it has also elevated the status of pottery as a desirable gift. "Not everyone comes in looking for a full set; many just want a single mug as a gift," she says.

In Cairo and across Egypt, pottery shopping caters to a wide range of budgets and preferences. "There's even a market for what we call 'grade two' pottery—pieces with minor flaws that are still beautiful and more affordable," Youssry notes.

From Al-Fawakhir (literally The Potters) in Old Cairo to Tunis Village in Fayoum, and from Naga' Hammadi in Qena to Grace Village in Monufia, there are countless destinations for pottery enthusiasts. While many credit Evelyne Porret's pottery school in Tunis Village for raising pottery's profile, Youssry highlights the contributions of Samir El-Guindy, a professor at the School of Fine Arts, whose school in Giza has trained many skilled artisans.

Pottery-making and ceramic painting have even become fashionable hobbies in recent years. "Over the past 25 years, more people—both young and old—have taken up pottery as a creative pastime. This, too, has contributed to pottery's rising popularity," Youssry concludes.

From : Al-Ahram