MALGA

MALGA Ceramic Design is a ceramics studio founded in 2015 in Lisbon by Mariana Filipe, with deep roots in the Alentejo region.

MALGA draws its inspiration from the traditional ways of crafting and using ceramic pieces, breathing new life into these essential everyday objects.

In the studio, each piece is handmade in small batches, resulting in unique and functional ceramics. MALGA's creations aim to be simple yet intriguing objects for daily use, adding beauty to the routines of everyday life.

Mariana Filipe highlights the profound influence of Alentejo pottery on her work.

"I’ve always been fascinated by the archetypes of the pieces—their origins. That’s why, whenever I want to design a piece, I look to the most traditional and ancient ones. Alentejo pottery has that," she says.

This pursuit of traditional elements from the Alentejo ensures that every MALGA piece carries a fragment of the region’s rich history and culture.

The creation process in the studio is meticulous and entirely artisanal.

"I usually start with an idea for the type of piece and a specific feature I want to highlight. Then, I sketch a little and define general measurements. Once I have that, I have everything I need to start creating, either by hand or with the help of the potter's wheel," explains Mariana.

MALGA's philosophy emphasizes handmade creation and small-scale production.

"I chose to keep a small-scale operation where all production processes go through me," reflects Mariana.

This decision to maintain limited production ensures that every piece is crafted with a high level of care and detail.

MALGA Ceramic Design blends the rich heritage of Alentejo pottery with a contemporary approach, resulting in pieces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and culturally meaningful.

"I prefer to focus on quality and originality rather than quantity."