Armenian Ceramics Jerusalem

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.

Armenian ceramics jerusalem. East jerusalem and now on our web site. The vibrant hues and intricate patterns were developed by prominent armenian master potters and kept a family secret to past down through the generations. Armenian ceramics jerusalem pottery and the karakashian family dome of the rock street name tiles a rich family tradition in 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.

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. We stumbled on balian ceramics by accident on the road between our hotel and the damascus gate of the old city of jerusalem. Our gallery and workshop are located in the heart of the armenian quarter in jerusalem s old city one block next to st.

The present location of our factory is where the true form of art known as armenian ceramics of jerusalem was born. The balian studio has been producing hand painted ceramic tiles tile murals and decorative tiles since 1922. Apart from our standard tile art and tile designs which you see on this website we also specialize in custom tile designs. Since then armenian ceramics have been ubiquitous in jerusalem and a popular souvenir item.

When someone mentions armenian pottery it immediately conjures up mental images of finely hand painted floral. 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. 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. 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.

James cathedral and the armenian convent. Welcome welcome to garo sandrouni s online gallery of authentic armenian pottery and ceramics of jerusalem. It s hard to imagine a better place than this quiet oasis for the ancient art and craft of armenian. In jerusalem today armenian pottery or armenian ceramics has become a household phrase.

Karakashian who together with his partner established a pottery in jerusalem in 1922. This workshop reflects the serenity and peace that are characteristic to jerusalem s christian quarter.