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Cesar Teixeira
Handmade byCésar Teixeira
Gondar Black Clay Bowl
36,20 €
Available
Ra-Ro IndexVery RareWhat 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,...
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Handmade byCésar TeixeiraDimensions
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Shipping and returns
Shipping time: Approximately > 3 weeks
We ship worldwide. You have 14 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.
Gondar black clay
Gondar Black Clay Bowl
A wide bowl in Gondar black clay, with the smoke of the soenga on its surface.
The story
In Gondar, clay is not baked, it is *forged in the soenga fire*. An open-air bonfire reaches 1000 °C and infuses the clay with the *black smoke* that gives it this tone. This wide bowl was made by *César Teixeira and his son João*, the last people in the world still practising this technique.
Story of the piece
Gondar Black Clay Bowl
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 Bowl (alguidar) - utilitarian and decorative, however it suits your taste.
In numbers
The piece in facts.
Height15cm
With a diameter of 30 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.
- 1Decorative bandA row of impressed marks around the body.
- 2Notched rimSmall marks cut along the lip.
- 3Smoke marksThe soenga smoke leaves unique tones on every piece.
Interior
Inside
The interior keeps the marks of the wheel and the fire.
- 1Wheel linesRings left by the manual wheel as the clay was shaped.
- 2Notched rimSmall marks cut along the lip.
- 3MouthA rounded lip, shaped on the manual wheel.
Another angle
From the side
Each angle reveals different tones left by the fire.
- 1InteriorInside, the clay is darkened by the smoke too.
- 2Notched rimSmall marks cut along the lip.
- 3Clay textureA matte surface with the natural grain of the clay.
About the piece
Dimensions and care.
Dimensions
Care
Shipping time
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.
discover the story
The journey
Cesar Teixeira
Origins and Training
Practice and Legacy
Continuity Through Generations
Community Engagement and Preservation
Traditional clay is fired. The dark clay of Gondar is forged. Forged in the fire of the soenga, a technique that turns clay into works of art with centuries of history. César Teixeira and his son João are the last people on Earth who still summon the soenga to make elegant, mysterious clay pieces. This vinegar cruet is more than a functional or decorative object; it is a living testament to cultural resilience. Each piece carries the ancestral warmth of the fire, the patience of gestures learned across generations, and the memory of a village that keeps its identity alive through clay.
From the same maker
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Questions
Everything you need to know.
What is this piece?
Black clay bowl fired in the soenga by César Teixeira in Gondar, Minho. Ancestral pottery, unique hue. Extremely rare piece.
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.
What technique is used?
This piece is made using the Olaria technique.
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.
A one‑of‑a‑kind piece from Gondar, to use or to display, as you prefer.
36,20 € · available to ship
Buy nowWorldwide shipping14 days for free returnsSecure payment
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