Cycladic Ceramic Bowl - Large Fish

These ceramic bowls, hand-thrown and hand-painted in Sifnos, in the Cyclades, feature motifs of large fish—a subject dear to Nikos and his family. Sometimes colorful, sometimes black, sometimes cheerful, sometimes more melancholic, these fish seem to have personalities of their own. Each design is painted freehand, without a preliminary sketch, and no two pieces are exactly alike, as if the sea, the wind, and the light had left their mark on the ceramic. Used every day—for breakfast, soup, fruit, or an impromptu dessert—these bowls always give the impression of holding a piece of the Mediterranean in your hands.

Here, the tradition dates back to antiquity. Pottery made on this small Cycladic island has long been transported by boat, delivered from village to village all the way to Athens. In the workshop located in the north of the island—which has no specific address; you find it by following directions from neighbors—pottery has been a family business for over a century. In the summer, production ramps up to meet the demand from vacationers and regular customers; the rest of the year, Nikos takes the time to create pieces for Athens’s upscale neighborhoods and for La Maison de Commerce Paris.

The style of this tableware is defined by subtle contrasts: a perfect balance between perfection and imperfection, simple yet expressive designs, clean lines, and vibrant colors. Timeless—if not eternal—these bowls each tell their own story of the sea, the sun, and the gentle wildness that characterizes the island.

Note: Each plate is entirely hand-painted and therefore one-of-a-kind. The designs may vary—lighter or darker, more subtle or more pronounced—depending on the artisan’s imagination. To find out which patterns and colors are available, please contact us at contact@lamaisondecommerce.com or at 01 43 21 04 64.