Hand-painted in Jerusalem, this ceramic vase is decorated with a bird surrounded by grapes, leaves, flowers and vine-like details. The design moves across the curved form in rich tones of blue, yellow, purple, green, red and black, giving the piece a feeling of movement and quiet abundance.
Birds are one of the most recognisable motifs within Jerusalem Armenian ceramics, often connected to historic mosaic traditions, garden imagery and ideas of life, beauty, and continuity. Here, the bird sits among fruit and foliage, creating a scene that feels generous, symbolic, and full of presence.
Made within one of Jerusalem’s oldest Armenian ceramic studios, established in 1922, this vase reflects the work of master potters whose family history is deeply tied to the city. Their ceramics carry both inherited Armenian techniques and the local visual traditions that have made Jerusalem Armenian ceramics so recognisable.
No two pieces are exactly the same. Slight variations in brushwork, glaze, colour, and painted detail are part of its character, reflecting the hand of the maker and the living nature of the craft.
Details
Size: 17cm height
Material: Ceramic, hand-painted and glazed
Origin: Made in Jerusalem at one of the oldest Armenian ceramic studios in the city, Balian, established in 1922.
Care
Wipe gently with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh detergents, abrasive materials, and prolonged soaking. As this is a decorative ceramic piece, handle with care.
Giving back
This piece was chosen to support meaningful, fairly paid work in Jerusalem, where wages and the costs of remaining in the city are significantly higher than in other parts of the West Bank. By purchasing from makers who continue working there, we are helping sustain local livelihoods and keep attention on the craft traditions, histories, and makers whose work continues despite pressure, imitation, and erasure.
A portion of proceeds is shared with marginalised communities through our ongoing partnership with human rights organisation Restless Beings.
For every order placed, we also plant a tree, contributing to long-term environmental restoration.
