Ceramic Bowl - Ictus Wave

On this ceramic bowl, wheel-thrown and hand-painted in Sifnos in the Cyclades, the motif of the ictus—or ichthys, meaning “fish” in Greek—is depicted alongside a stylized wave. Drawing on ancient Mediterranean symbolism, this emblematic symbol is reinterpreted in a traditional blue-and-white design, dear to Nikos and his family. The wave evokes the Mediterranean Sea and its constant movement, like a graphic breath surrounding the fish. Painted freehand, without preliminary sketching, each decoration feels alive and spontaneous. No two pieces are ever quite the same, as if the sea, the wind, and the light had left their mark on the ceramic. Simply letting your gaze rest inside the bowl feels like being drawn straight into the Mediterranean.

Here, the tradition dates back to antiquity. Pottery made on this small Cycladic island was once transported by boat, delivered from village to village all the way to Athens. In the workshop located in the northern part of the island—which has no specific address; you find it by following directions from the neighbors—pottery has been a family business for over a century. In the summer, production ramps up to supply holiday tables and loyal customers; the rest of the year, Nikos takes the time to create pieces for the elegant neighborhoods of Athens and for La Maison de Commerce in Paris.

The style of this tableware is based on subtle contrasts: a delicate balance between perfection and imperfection, simple designs, confident forms, and luminous colors. Timeless—if not eternal—this bowl tells, in its own way, the story of the sea, the sun, and the gentle wildness that defines the island.

Note: Entirely hand-painted, each design is unique. Shades may vary—lighter or darker, softer or more defined—and both the wave and the fish take on different forms each time, shaped by the movement of the sea… or by the artisan’s imagination.