Cântara artesanal de Cesar Teixeira, olaria tradicional de Minho, Portugal

Water Jug

Name: Water Jug
Brand: Ra-Ro
SKU: 06PT07CTE00013
Price: 36.20 EUR
Availability: InStock

36,20 €

Made to order · Ships in about 3 weeks

Small‑batch craft production. The time counts from your order.

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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.

Read the story of the piece

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Shipping to Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil
Free returns within 14 days
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Handmade byCésar Teixeira

Dimensions

Diameter > 17 cm
Height > 20 cm

Care

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.

Shipping and returns

Shipping time: Approximately > 3 weeks

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil. You have 14 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.

Gondar black clay

Water Jug

A pitcher in Gondar black clay, with the smoke of the soenga on its surface.

Story of the piece

Water Jug

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 among the very last who still conjure the soenga to make elegant, mysterious, dark clay pieces like this Water Jug (cântara) - utilitarian and decorative, however it suits your taste.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

Height20cm

With a diameter of 17 cm.

Fire temperature1000°C

The open-air soenga fire reaches 1000 °C.

Origin of the soengaXVIIcentury

A technique invented by Gondar's artisans in the early 17th century.

See the piece

See every detail.

Overview

The whole piece

A traditional form, darkened by the soenga smoke.

1
SpoutA pouring spout shaped from the lip itself.
2
HandleShaped from the same black clay as the piece.
3
Wavy bandA wavy line incised around the body.
4
Smoke marksThe soenga smoke leaves unique tones on every piece.

Another angle

From the side

Each angle reveals different tones left by the fire.

1
SpoutA pouring spout shaped from the lip itself.
2
HandleShaped from the same black clay as the piece.
3
Wavy bandA wavy line incised around the body.

Detail

Up close

Up close, the matte texture of the forged clay shows.

1
HandleShaped from the same black clay as the piece.
2
Wavy bandA wavy line incised around the body.
3
Smoke marksThe soenga smoke leaves unique tones on every piece.

The technique

ABOUT SOENGA

Soenga is a technique invented by Gondar artisans in the 17th century, where a traditional open-air fire reaches 1000°C, infusing the clay pieces with black smoke that gives them their historically unique hue.

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Meet the Producer

THE GUARDIAN OF SOENGA

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

discover the story

From the same maker