Long before electricity lit homes or ovens warmed kitchens, a humble pottery workshop took root in Palestine around 1920. In this modest space, clay from the local soil was shaped into simple vessels, crafted with care to store olive oil, jams, and the daily harvests of life. What started as a means of meeting basic needs would, over time, become Sharif Oriental Ceramics.
By Her Hands: The Woman Behind This Legacy
In a quiet Palestinian town near Hebron nearly fifty years ago, it was a grandmother’s quiet strength and artistic eye that turned a fading tradition into a thriving family legacy.
In 1973, she looked beyond the clay pots drying in her family’s small workshop and envisioned something more. In a time of scarcity and limited opportunity, she proposed expanding the business, not just to help raise her children, but to create something lasting. She offered to paint, decorate, and shape the future of her household through ceramic art. And with her husband’s blessing, the transformation began.
With her input, the workshop evolved into a ceramic art studio focused on glazed and hand-painted pieces. Her children joined soon after, turning it into a multigenerational family business that thrives to this day.
Today, Sharif Oriental Ceramics stands as a living tribute to her vision, a studio where heritage meets craft, and every piece tells a story of perseverance, creativity, and tradition.
From Raw Earth to Elegant Art
Each ceramic piece is made through a process that honors both tradition and artistry:
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Shaping the Clay: Treated clay (now imported) is shaped using spinning wheels or pressed into handmade molds.
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Drying & Smoothing: Pieces are left to dry naturally before being hand-sanded and refined.
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First Firing: The clay is fired to gain strength and prepare for glaze application.
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Painting & Decoration: Traditional and modern motifs are hand-painted using ceramic-safe colors.
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Glazing & Second Firing: The glazed surface is fired again, producing a glossy, vibrant finish that seals the artwork into place.
Each piece takes 2–3 days to complete.
Handmade, Always
Despite modern advancements, Sharif Oriental Ceramics proudly relies on manual techniques and traditional tools, including:
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The potter’s wheel (doulab).
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The jikkar (which is also a type of wheel fitted with an arm used to shape and trim the raw material of clay).
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Hand-carved molds and presses for non-circular shapes.
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Kilns fueled in the old days by wood and oil.
This hands-on approach makes every item unique, crafted by human touch, not machines.
Inspired by Market & Memory
Designs at Sharif Oriental Ceramics reflect the spirit of Palestine, drawing inspiration from local traditions, everyday life, and cultural heritage. They are also shaped by the tastes and preferences of both Palestinian and international buyers, with evolving colors, patterns, and forms that respond to changing market demands while staying rooted in authenticity.
