index
Black Clay Chocolate Pot (Chocolateira)
Cesar Teixeira

Black Clay Chocolate Pot (Chocolateira)

23,30 €

Ships immediately · dispatched within 48h

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, infusing the clay pieces with black smoke that gives them their historically unique hue.

Read the story of the piece
Buy now
  • Shipping to Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil
  • Free returns within 30 days
  • Secure, encrypted payment
Handmade byCésar Teixeira
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: Within 48 hours

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil. You have 30 days to return the piece free of charge. Payment is secure and encrypted.

Gondar black clay

Black Clay Chocolate Pot (Chocolateira)

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

Story of the piece

Black Clay Chocolate Pot (Chocolateira)

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 Chocolate Dispenser (chocolateira) - utilitarian and decorative, however it suits your taste.

In numbers

The piece in facts.

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.

Traditional clay is baked. Gondar clay is forged.

See the piece

See every detail.

The whole piece
From the side
Overview

The whole piece

A traditional form, darkened by the soenga smoke.

  1. 1
    Lid knobA small knob to lift the lid.
  2. 2
    Side armA hollow arm projecting from the body.
  3. 3
    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. 1
    Side armA hollow arm projecting from the body.
  2. 2
    MouthA rounded lip, shaped on the manual wheel.
  3. 3
    LidIts own lid, made from the same clay.
ABOUT SOENGA
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.
See this maker’s pieces
Cesar Teixeira
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
Questions

Everything you need to know.

What is this piece?

Chocolate pot 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.

Where do you ship?

We ship to Portugal, the rest of Europe, the US, Canada and Brazil.

How do returns work?

You have 30 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.

23,30 € · available to ship

Buy now
Shipping to Europe, US and Brazil30 days for free returnsSecure payment
Added to cart

Black Clay Chocolate Pot (Chocolateira)

CategoriesPottery, cork, woodwork and many more crafts.
Ra-Ro StoriesSee the hands behind every piece.Watch the filmsLatest newsMadeira embroidery: what it is, its history, stitches and how to spot the rea...Read the story
Meet them