The traditional ceramics of Coimbra.

Coimbra ceramics have existed since the 16th century and include ceramics that traditionally use cobalt blue in monochrome tones but also yellow, green and ochre. This art, typical of this city in Northern Portugal, has been recognized throughout the world for several centuries. 

Coimbra, a city favorable to the emergence of ceramics

It is near the banks of the Mondego, close to the clay soils, that the first earthenware factories were set up and then gathered around the "Bota Baixo" square. The main factories of this period are called "Rua dos Oleiros", "Rua da Louça" and "Largo das Olarias". They still remain in the current city toponym.

Coimbra view from Modego 

 The proximity of the Mondego River enabled not only to provide the raw material which is clay, but also to set a communication route towards the port of Figueira da Foz what made easier the shipping and selling of the ceramic pieces.

In the 16th century, the "Malegueiros" bring out Coimbra ceramics

In the 16th century, the "Malegueiros", so-called because they were native of the city of Malaga in Spain, were the first artists to introduce the ceramic technique in the Coimbra region.

 At that time, to become a ceramist it was necessary to pass an examination and succeed in a practical test which was the de-moulding of the dishes after the first firing. 

Thereafter, the official letter delivered by the "judges of the Office"  granted the privilege of being able to manufacture and sell the first ceramics of Coimbra while respecting a regulation concerning the profession but also the working and manufacturing conditions.

The apogee of Coimbra ceramics in the 17th century

The Malegoiros quickly amassed fortunes and acquired titles of nobility. The city council reacted by imposing a work permit, a contribution to the city's festivals and a renunciation of their privileges, and the activity spread to the working class, although several families continued to dominate the local earthenware industry: Costa Brioso, Paiva, Vandelli and Oliveira are among the best known.

Ceramic dish from Coimbra - 17th century - Credit Museu Quinta das cruzes

The decline in the 19th and 20th centuries

During the 20th century, Coimbra ceramics was industrialized on a large scale with the ESTACO factory, which had more than 1,000 employees, not counting its production unit in Mozambique.

Estaco Factory - Credit JV Queiros Photography

But like the whole ceramic sector, this factory declined and was declared bankrupt in 2001.Today, the huge industrial park of Pedrulha of more than 60.000 m2 is nothing but an industrial wasteland with missing roofs, broken walls and broken windows.

The revival of artisanal ceramics

Coimbra ceramics remain very present in the collective imagination and arouses attachment, respect and curiosity. Very rare now, pieces of 16th, 17th and 18th centuries are part of private collections and are in great demand at auctions.

This is an opportunity for some talented craftsmen to rediscover the ancestral manufacturing processes and to produce again the historical pieces of Coimbra ceramics.

Luisa Paixão wishes to contribute to the revival of this art craft and has selected a small workshop that spares no effort to offer ceramic pieces entirely handmade in the respect of 17th century techniques.

The particularity of this workshop is that the decorators are free to interpret the original 17th century motifs and therefore each piece is absolutely unique.

Feel free to discover the entire collection by clicking on the image below.

Coimbra Ceramic Plate - Luisa Paixão collection