Cesar Teixeira

Chestnut Roaster

Name: Chestnut Roaster
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 06PT07CTE0001
Price: 101.30 EUR
Availability: InStock

Rarity scale

VERY RARE

What is the Ra-Ro Index?

Traditional clay is fired. Gondar's dark clay is forged. Forged from the fire of the soenga, a technique invented by local artisans in the early 17th century, where a traditional open-air fire bursts into flames reaching a temperature of 1000ºC, infusing the clay pieces with black smoke that gives them their historically unique hue.

Regular price 101,30 €

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In Stock

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Chestnut Roaster

101,30 €

History Conservation

A dark clay piece born from an ancestral fire.

Traditional clay is baked. The dark clay of Gondar is forged. Forged from the fire of the soenga, a technique invented by local artisans in the early 17th century, where an outdoor, traditional fire bursts into flames that reach a temperature of 1000ºC, infusing the clay pieces with black smoke, giving them their historically unique hue.

As you read this, César Teixeira and his son João, from the village of Gondar (Minho, Portugal) are the last people on Earth who still conjure the soenga to make elegant, mysterious, dark clay pieces like this Chestnut Roaster (assador de castanhas) - utilitarian and decorative, however it suits your taste.

Frequently asked questions

What is this piece?

Chestnut roaster in Gondar black clay, forged in the soenga by César Teixeira in Minho. A useful, decorative piece of uniquely dark tone.

Which region is it from?

It comes from Minho, in Portugal. At Ra-Ro, every piece is tied to its origin and to the territory where it is made.

Who makes this piece?

It is made by Cesar Teixeira, the producer Ra-Ro works with directly for this piece.

Are all pieces identical?

As a handmade piece, it may vary slightly from one example to another. That variation is part of its authenticity.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, Ra-Ro ships worldwide.

How do returns work?

You have 14 days for a free return.

Is payment secure?

Yes, all payments are processed securely and encrypted.

Handling
Due to the unique, handcrafted nature of this piece, please handle it with care to avoid accidental knocks or drops. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, as this can cause cracking.

Storage
If used for decorative purposes, use a dry cotton cloth or soft brush to remove dust.

Store in a safe place where it is protected from possible impacts.

Meet the Producer

THE LAST MASTER OF SOENGA

César Teixeira is the last active soenga master in Europe, preserving a 17th-century craft that transforms clay into art pieces darkened by fire, with the help of his son João.

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Origins and Training

César Teixeira was born in 1969 in Gondar, a small village in Amarante, where he still lives and works. At 18, he apprenticed under master potter Manuel Teixeira, learning two rare and ancestral techniques he would never let go: the low, horizontal, manual wheel for shaping clay, and the soenga, a fire-pit method of baking clay that echoes ancient pagan rituals and turns clay pieces into darkened works of art.

Practice and Legacy

While César still holds a day job at the local hospital, the dark clay of Gondar remains his lifeblood. He is the last active soenga master in Europe, preserving a craft whose roots in Gondar date back to the 17th century. And you what? He has his workshop in an old, deactivated primary school, the exact same one where he learned to read and write as a little boy.

Continuity Through Generations

But César is no longer alone. His son João joined him after returning home from Caldas da Rainha, where he trained as a ceramist in the prestigious ESAD. He has learned the gestures, the patience, the timing of fire and earth.

Community Engagement and Preservation

Together, they work by commission and lead public soengas and workshops, inviting others to shape and burn, fighting to keep Gondar’s ceramic heritage alive.