The
history of the art of ceramics in Agiassos is as old as the history of the town itself.The
history of the art of ceramics in Agiassos is as old as the history of the town itself.
The arrival of the icon of Our Lady and the other relics to the island on the one hand, and the foundation of the monastery on the other, contributed to transforming Agiassos into a place of pilgrimage. This pilgrimage attracted thousands of believers, especially during the Turkish Domination. Thus, production of clayware such as water pitchers, plates etc in order to meet the demands of the throngs of devout Christians.
Nowadays, a new series of clayware products has been introduced; small fonts (receptacles for holy water) used by the pilgrims to transport the holy water to their homes and other clay knickknacks and souvenirs.
It
is noteworthy to say that, this increased demand for production combined with the
migration to Agiassos of a great number of craftsmen from Tsanak-Kalé in Asia Minor, have
contributed to a greater development of the art of ceramics in Agiassos than in the
eastern areas of the island.
Due to these special circumstances, potters and other craftsmen have established trade unions, known as “sinafia”. A money box dating from 1864 is evidence of the existance of the “sinafia” of Agiassos.
However
the flourishing art of ceramics in Agiassos, is slowly diminishing along with the old way
of life, as a consequence of new needs society and introduction of new, more resistant
materials in the market.
Thus, while 40 years ago there were 10 pottery workshops, only two operate today.
Still, the presence of art of ceramics in the town is apparent anyone who visits the town. The unique feature of the art of ceramics in Agiassos is the multitude of small objects created to serve solely ornamental purposes. The themes portrayed on these objects are usually borrowed from the scenes of daily life in Agiassos, such as loaded donkeys, shepherds, women spinning wool, pitcher-whistles for little children– toys that whistle when water is added etc.
In the by-gone days, these potters created their clayware without the use of a potter's wheel. Today they use plaster casts (molds). Once the finishing touches are added to the product eliminate all traces left by the mold, the objects are painted with colours that are true to the prototypes that they portray.
Wood Carving
The traditional art of woodcraft using olive and walnut tree wood is particularly developed. Their carved icons and furniture of Agiassos which are hand wrought are displays of fine artistry for which wood carvers of Agiassos are famous.
The tradition of woodcarving is said to have its origins among the craftsmen who created the wood-carved iconostasis of the Church of Panagia in 1812. Originally these craftsmen were the Greeks of Asia Minor, who had astute apprentices from Agiassos to whom they passed on their trade and who inherited their legacy. The families of the “Sentoukades” (chest-makers) were named after the trade of some of their members were chest-makers who made made fine “sentoukia” (chests/trunks). A large number of houses in Agiassos are decorated with old furniture (mainly chests) which are decorated with carved fretwork designs.
During the postwar times, Dimitris Kamaros, the grandson of a wood-carver, carried on this trade. His carved fretwork became famous not only on the island but all over Greece and abroad. Most of today’s young carvers were his apprentices. Each of these fine carvers have evolved and developed their own personal style and personality. However, the par excellence craftsman of carved icons Prokopis Skopelitis, was not a students of Kamaros, but self-taught like certain other new carvers.