Fayoum Pottery: Ceramic Arts and Crafts in an Egyptian Oasis

Hewison (The Fayoum: History and Guide) writes an in-depth guide to the celebrated pottery-making tradition of the Fayoum, a region in Egypt, located southwest of Cairo between the Nile and Qarun Lake. Rich in ancient history, Fayoum is home to three different centers of pottery production. Hewison, who has lived and worked in the region for decades, explores the history and processes of each distinct Fayoum pottery style. In Al-Nazla, one family continues the ancient traditions of their ancestors, creating utilitarian pots from the mud they dig up near the stream that runs through the valley. Kom Oshim potters specialize in making pottery suited for the garden, including the largest pots made in Egypt, some of which are taller than a person. Hewison writes that the small village of Tunis is a newer center of Egyptian pottery, established in the 1960s by a Swiss couple; Tunis’s specialty is decorative pottery for the home and table. Hewison’s the detailed history is accompanied by more than 250 photographs taken by the author. His knowledge and meticulous research shine a spotlight on the pottery of the Fayoum and reveals the history and methods of a centuries-old craft.