2019 marks the centenary of Armenian pottery in Jerusalem. In 1919, David Ohannessian and his two assistants, Megherdich Karakashian and Neshan Balian, were brought to Jerusalem by the British from Kutahya in Turkey to repair the 16th century tiles covering the Dome of the Rock. These craftsmen were glad to leave Turkey to escape persecution and settle in Jerusalem to practise the craft of making richly-colored glazed pottery.
Even though they ultimately didn't carry out the repair work on the Dome of the Rock, the British commissioned their decorative tiles to grace a number of significant public buildings erected during the Mandate Period. These include: the Rockefeller Museum, St. John's Eye Hospital on the Hebron Road, St. Andrew's Scottish Church and the American Colony Hotel.
In 1964 Stepan and Berj Karakashian established the
Jerusalem Pottery workshop on the Via Dolorosa where it remained until the end of 2018. Following Stepan's death that year, his son Hagop (third generation) and his wife Tzoghig, moved the workshop and studio to the Greek Patriarch Street close to the Jaffa Gate in the Christian Quarter.
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| Interior - New Pottery Workshop |
Their work incorporates traditional Armenian bird, animal and flower designs and biblical scenes on tiles, bowls, plates, mugs and vases. They will also make custom-made panels for your new kitchen or bathroom.
It is always a pleasure to stop by and admire the beautiful, hand-crafted work still made in the traditional manner by the family.
Jerusalem Pottery is open daily 9:00 - 19:00 except Sunday. 3 Greek Patriarch Street. 02-6261587
