Pottery Rouached
The POTTERY ROUACHED is a project initiated by the steering committee of the members of the ABCP Tunisian association (Belkhir Association for the Conservation of Heritage), which will soon become a mutual company named “Groupement Poterie Rouached.”
The origins of POTTERY ROUACHED were discovered in the archives of archaeological excavations in our region Rouached, Gafsa Tunisia. This modeled pottery has been practiced for millennia in the tradition of Amazigh pottery, continuing to this day. It is a skill still practiced by the women of 150 families in this locality to craft their kitchen and storage utensils, before our intervention.
This craft, practiced by women, requires several steps such as the extraction of clay from the surrounding mountains, its transport by donkey, the preparation of the clay, the shaping into coils, the polishing of the pottery, and open-air firing.
The ABCP association realized that this skill was on the verge of disappearing, despite its great potential for development, aligning with current trends for authentic and ethical craftsmanship.
Inspired by this pottery, the association implemented an action plan with training sessions that enabled the transmission of this know-how to young women in the village of Rouached, who were previously without activities and living in precarious conditions. Currently, our group involves 350 women and a dozen men who work with them, handling the transportation of the pottery and the extraction of clay.
Ali Khadher, Designer.
Member of the ABCP (Belkhir Association for the Conservation of Heritage).
Project Manager for the 'Rouached Pottery' initiative.
Expert in the field of artisanal products.
The pottery from Rouached is entirely hand-shaped and polished, honoring the ancestral Amazigh pottery tradition. Each piece is unique, reflecting the craftsmanship of our artisans and the time dedicated to shaping each item using the coil technique, with natural coloring achieved through wood-fired kilns. The forms and hues of our pottery are inspired by the archaeological finds from the renowned mosaic sites in the Zammour region of Belkhir. Our pottery is tinted before firing, using no chemical colorants.
Our method of shaping, using very fine coils, minimizes air bubbles in the clay and enhances the durability, hardness, and strength of our pottery. With Berber influences, primitive symbols, and a creative approach that respects authenticity, each piece is unique, crafted from our local clay, shaped by hand, and polished with stones.
Myriam Sakhri, Pottery Artisan
Member of the ABCP (Belkhir Association for the Conservation of Heritage).
Firing to achieve beige or white color on embers under the moonlight
Firing the pottery to achieve the red color
Black firing with animal remains
Shade color fire effect
Tapis Royal
In a small village nestled in the heart of the northwest region of Tunisia, a tradition has been passed down through generations, transforming simple wool into masterpieces of art. Each rug, meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, is more than just a floor covering—it’s a testament to the rich heritage and unmatched craftsmanship of the Keffois people.
Every thread is woven with care, and every knot tells a story of dedication and pride. These rugs are created to meet the highest standards of quality, ensuring that each piece is an authentic work of art. The process is slow, deliberate, and full of passion, resulting in a creation that is as unique as the hands that made it.
But what truly sets these rugs apart is their ability to be as personal as they are beautiful. Whether you dream of a bold, vibrant design or a more subdued, classic look, the dimensions and colors of each rug can be tailored to fit your vision perfectly. Imagine a piece that not only adds warmth and elegance to your home but also reflects your personal style—a rug that is uniquely yours.
"At Tapis Royal, we don’t just make rugs; we craft pieces of history, woven with the threads of our ancestors’ knowledge and our artisans’ skilled hands. Each rug is a celebration of the past, a piece of the present, and a treasure for the future."
Naima Cherni, Founder
Tapis Royal is a family-run business dedicated to the artisanal production of wool rugs, blending traditional Tunisian craftsmanship with contemporary design. The founder, Naima Cherni, has passed down this ancestral skill, so deeply rooted in the northwest region of Tunisia, to her daughter, Chaima Ben Ali. Chaima, an electronics engineer and graduate of ISET Kairouan, has embraced this heritage with passion. In 2020, she was awarded the Klim Keffois Olympiad, and now, she works alongside her mother to create new products that honor and elevate this exceptional craftsmanship. Together, they manage two production workshops—one in Tejerouine and the other in Jezza—where they collaborate with a team of twenty skilled craftswomen.