Portugal is a country of ceramics. Along the ceramic routes from north to south, there are countless companies dedicated to the art of pottery. One of them is Perpétua Pereira & Almeida in the municipality of Evora de Alcobaça, north of Lisbon. Traditional craftsmanship is practised here, preserving the expertise of generations. At the same time, the owners are always open to new developments and experimental approaches in modern ceramic design. The idea for Claraval was born out of a shared curiosity for innovation at a meeting with Mark Lloyd, the founder of Skopelab, who had researched methods for transforming sounds into 3D shapes.
And this is how it works: during production, the shapes of the vessels grow upwards and outwards, so to speak, driven into 3D space by frequencies, rhythms and harmonies. This mould is then 3D printed and serves as a prototype for the production process. The pieces are then moulded, handmade, glazed and fired by the artisans of Perpétua Pereira & Almeida in Alcobaça, following an old tradition.
Monastery Collection
The time-honoured monastery of Alcobaça is one of the largest in Portugal and has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1989. In this place of silence, the power of the voice of Sónia Taveres, the extraordinary singer of the Portuguese rock-pop band The Gift, came into its own. The “Monastery Collection” was created from these improvised music recordings.
With an impressive height of 58 cm, “Sónia” – here in Blue Velvet – is the centrepiece of the “Monastery” Collection. Also available as “Baby Sónia” (170 x 245 x 305) mm.
The “Monastery Collection” breathes the history of the monastery and transfers it into the modern age. Various colours and glazes are available to choose from.
“Celeste”, the smallest piece in the “Monastery Collection” (125 x 170 x 305 mm) is minimalist and delicate with soft shapes. Here in stylish Volcanic Grey.
Mia Collection
As soon as she steps onto the stage, Mia Bonita undergoes a remarkable transformation. Initially rather shy, the young artist radiates self-confidence and determination during her performance. This contrast is always present and a constant source of inspiration. Claraval has captured this contrast in the “Mia Collection”.
“The Heart” (140 x 375 x 385 mm), here in Flame Orange, is a tribute to Mia Benita's emotional duality. Here, fragility meets strength and sensitivity meets determination.
“The Promise” (265 x 330 x 570 mm) is a testimony to purity and hope. This piece epitomises the youthful energy and elegance of every note.
“The Embrace” (310 x 385 x 430) mm reflects the harmony between strength and softness, where undulating shapes appear and disappear.
Fascination and intrigue
No matter where the Claraval collections are shown, the reaction of viewers is always the same: “Customers were not only captivated by the striking, expressive forms of the pieces, but also by the groundbreaking process behind them. The collections sparked curiosity about how an art form with millenia of tradition could embrace such innovative techniques, creating a blend of heritage and modernity. The uniqueness of the concept and its execution left a lasting impression on everyone who encountered our pieces”, says Fábio Caldas, Head of Marketing at Claraval. The “sonorous” ceramic objects can be seen live again at Ambiente in Frankfurt from 7 to 11 February 2025.
