Galileo Galilei said that the greatest wisdom is to know oneself. So the best contemporary way to tell you what we are like – or more specifically, our pieces – is by using a few keywords.
Craftsmanship is our profession and our way of life. For this reason, our work is marked by unwavering principles. They are nothing new – we have not invented clay. We are talking about timeless concepts, which have defined crafts since the beginning of history, and which were already a reality in past centuries with movements such as Arts & Crafts, in their defense of craftsmanship as the basis of art and craftsmanship. Our essence is also found on the Japanese concept of Mingei, when talking about popular crafts.
So which are our keywords?
Artisanal.
Our pieces are truly handmade, on a potter’s wheel and with other hand-forming techniques. They are hand-painted and hand-glazed. Our hands are our most creative tools and our guarantee of quality. Thanks to our 100% artisanal process, we are versatile and able to adapt to personalized needs.
Utilitarian.
The hardness and firing temperature of our stoneware makes our pots suitable for the oven, dishwasher and microwave. They are not easily breakable; they have good tolerance to light shocks from use. In addition, high-temperature ceramics do not contain lead in their glazes. That is why our utilitarian ceramics are chosen by so many restaurants, because they last a lifetime. For these businesses in particular, and to be able to display beautiful tableware at home, it is essential that the glaze does not chip or flake off from use.
Accessible.
Craftsmanship, as the Mingei founder Soetsu Yanagui said, should be synonymous with good value for money. Thanks to the durability of our tableware and kitchenware, this is more than proven. At Torres Ferreras we believe that craftsmanship should not be expensive, nor a luxury product. The question is: What is considered expensive today? As a society, we have lost the notion of a fair value for money, but there is still hope in craftsmanship.
Tradition.
We have learned what we do from the past generations of local potters in La Rambla, Spain, and we try to pass it on to future generations. Our maxim is respect for the techniques and pottery forms of our people, with an adaptation to current uses and designs. They say that handcrafted pieces should not be a mere copy of what was done in the past. At Torres Ferreras we have changed a lot, and we continue to adapt to the new uses of the present, but our way of working is part of an intangible heritage that is centuries old.
Local.
Popular pottery is always found in a rural environment, it is rooted in specific territories, it is expressed in their customs, in their way of life and their festivals. Torres Ferreras is rooted in La Rambla, the undisputed pottery city of Andalusia, and one of the most important ones in Spain.
Simple.
Simple should not be confused with roughness or craftsmanship with unrefinedness. Torres Ferreras is simple. We think that unnecessary excesses take away beauty and enjoyment from life. Of course, the most utilitarian craftsmanship is the simplest. We are inspired by the colours of the nature that surrounds us and the raw materials that nature offers us. To decorate, we choose simple but lively patterns. Simple is the life of the craftsman, simple are their tools, simple are their pieces, and that simplicity is what ensures their beauty.
What other keywords would you add?
