Armenian Ceramics Jerusalem

Jerusalem s ancient armenian community experienced a major increase in numbers as survivors of the armenian genocide perpetrated by the government of the ottoman empire beginning in 1915 found refuge in jerusalem s armenian quarter the industry is believed to have been started by refugees from kütahya a city in western anatolia noted for its iznik pottery.

Armenian ceramics jerusalem.

It s hard to imagine a better place than this quiet oasis for the ancient art and craft of armenian. Armenian pottery from jerusalem tells a story of migration from present day istanbul to jerusalem when armenians were charged by ottoman rulers with restoring the 15th century tiles on the mosque of omar. We intended to find an armenian ceramics shop on this visit to jerusalem and turns out much to our surprise that this was the same shop we visited while in israel 40 years ago. Armenian ceramics have a unique history in the land of israel.

This workshop reflects the serenity and peace that are characteristic to jerusalem s christian quarter. Original and authentic balian armenian ceramics is sold only at our factory and retail outlet on 14 nablus rd. Our gallery and workshop are located in the heart of the armenian quarter in jerusalem s old city one block next to st. Karakashian who together with his partner established a pottery in jerusalem in 1922.

All of our tiles can be used both as wall and floor tiles. One of those ceramic artists was my grandfather m. In 1919 a group of armenian ceramic artists from turkey were invited to jerusalem and commissioned to renovate the ceramic tiles covering the exterior walls of the dome of the rock. We stumbled on balian ceramics by accident on the road between our hotel and the damascus gate of the old city of jerusalem.

The present location of our factory is where the true form of art known as armenian ceramics of jerusalem was born. The vibrant hues and intricate patterns were developed by prominent armenian master potters and kept a family secret to past down through the generations. James cathedral and the armenian convent. Their work is stunning and they treat their customers right.

World famous for their striking bold colors and traditional designs these hand painted ceramic wares will truly astound you. In jerusalem today armenian pottery or armenian ceramics has become a household phrase. Tthe sandrouni workshop and showroom operated by george and dorin sandrouni is located in the heart of the christian quarter in jerusalem s old city 120 meters inside the new gate. When someone mentions armenian pottery it immediately conjures up mental images of finely hand painted floral.

The balian tile studio also specializes in the relatively new art of digital ceramic whereby any tile design image sent to us can be reproduced on ceramic tiles. Since then armenian ceramics have been ubiquitous in jerusalem and a popular souvenir item. Armenian ceramics jerusalem pottery and the karakashian family dome of the rock street name tiles a rich family tradition in jerusalem.