Pottery and weaving are important art & craft in SA. We are proud to offer objects by known artists and in particular, Clive Sithole & Ardmore Studio, represented at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris & other important international museums.

Zulu Baskets
Zulu Baskets

The Hluhluwe and Hlabisa areas of norther KwaZuluNatal provide an abundance of natural materials for the craft of basket weaving and the area is renowned for its fine basket weavers.

The most important grass-weaving material, ilala(Hyphaene natalensis) grows abundantly in the Kosi Bay area of KwaZuluNatal where it is harvested and dried. Strands of the ilala palm are wrapped around coils of soft foundation, such as grass, and stiched together in spiral fasion. To create the intricate designs of the Zulu baskets, strands are dyed in 18 colours developed from roots, fruits and barks. The most  popular colours used in Zulu baskets are: black, orange and chocolate (from roots), mauve (from leaves), pink ( from bark) and ochre ( from (fruit).

Clive Sithole - Potter
Clive Sitole creates his pots using traditional Zulu techniques. As a child he was introduced to the magic of clay by a family friend. Together they dug clay from the banks of a river near his home in Sowete. Clive studied fashion design at the London International School of Fashion in Johannesburg and for
three years he designed clothes. In 1977 he moved to Durban where he joined a potter group further developing his skills. His potential was quickly recognised and he was invited to attend classes at the Ceramics Department of the University of Natal at Pietersmaritzburg. Clive makes his Zulu pots with beadlike patters and traditional geometric designs and regularly his work is
exhibited in South African Galleries