(Translation note: “Arco-da-velha” is a portuguese expression used to refer to something from ancient times, astonishing, unbelievable, or implausible. Source: Wikipedia [Author's translation].)
Our kitchenware has that certain something that makes them seem to have come from goodness knows where. Perhaps from beyond the rainbow’s end or hailing from ancient, ancestral times when the Romans still roamed these lands. Or, who knows, maybe they’ve sprung to life straight from a canvas by Josefa de Óbidos (1630–1684)!
But no! They come from right here, very close to us... from Bajouca! It couldn't be any other way.
Crafted by pottery artisans who draw upon wisdom passed down through generations, these pieces are fashioned using locally-sourced materials and benefiting from the local climate, ideal for air-drying the pieces. This meticulous drying process takes time, requiring about a week before the pieces are ready for firing.
Stamping process of the Arco-da-Velha Tureen. © After Hall 2024
This wisdom is the culmination of many years of creative exploration and pursuit of the optimal utilitarian solution for everyday life. And it manifests in the shapes of the pieces, such as the chicken roaster with its incorporated skewer, allowing the chicken to be placed vertically so that the delicious juices drip onto the potatoes and vegetables (it's mouth-watering!), and in the finishes, with glazing that ensures the best insulation and ease of cleaning. Even the selection of colours and their combinations has become a hallmark of Bajouca's pottery.
Loiças do Arco-da-Velha Collection: Baking Dish (left), Tureen (center) and Chicken Roaster (right). © After Hall 2024
In the end, they become unique pieces. Each one literally born from the hands and personal dedication of each potter, carrying with it for life a fragment of the identity and craftsmanship of their makers.
Loiças do Arco-da-Velha Collection: Chicken Roaster (left), Baking Dish (top right) and Tureen (bottom right). © After Hall 2024
To this art, we’ve added geometric bas-relief motifs, thus softening the typical rusticity of pottery and imbuing it with a character that evokes the sophistication of classic design patterns. We’ve chosen vibrant, eye-catching colours that fill kitchens and tables with hues reminiscent of our gardens and orchards, from the orange of the Baking Dish to the beige of the cooked turnip in the Tureen, to the green of cabbage in the Chicken Roaster.
DISCOVER THE LOIÇAS DO ARCO-DA-VELHA COLLECTION
A special thank you to Chef Guilherme from Restaurante Nini (Marinha Grande) for his artistry and dedication in crafting the dishes that bring the Arco-da-Velha collection to life.
Cover photo: © After Hall 2024