SACRED VESSEL No. 05
SACRED BOWL No. 05
Unique Work · Stoneware · 2026
THE WORK
SACRED BOWL No. 05 is a one-of-a-kind Christian pottery bowl, individually formed in stoneware and hand-inscribed with the Greek words Οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ — Not by bread alone.
Its softly irregular silhouette and layered mineral glazes recall ancient ceramic vessels, weathered earth, and the material simplicity of early Christian life.
The inscription recalls Christ's response during His temptation in the wilderness, words that hold particular meaning within the fasting traditions of the Orthodox Church.
Here, the relationship between inscription and form is deliberate. A bowl made for the table bears words that speak of what food alone cannot provide.
The work belongs to THE SACRED, the DOM VECHERA collection of handmade Christian stoneware inspired by ancient Christianity, prayer, and devotion.
THE INSCRIPTION
Οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ
Ouk ep’ artō monō
“Not by bread alone.”
The inscription recalls Christ's words in the wilderness:
“Man shall not live by bread alone.”
Recorded in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4, these words affirm that human life depends upon more than physical nourishment.
Within Orthodox Christianity, they carry particular significance during periods of fasting, when abstinence from certain foods accompanies prayer, repentance, and the cultivation of spiritual attentiveness.
Each Greek letter is carved directly into the clay, making the inscription an enduring part of the bowl rather than an ornament applied to its surface.
SURFACE & FORM
The bowl is individually formed with a softly irregular profile and a gently undulating rim, retaining the visible character of handmade stoneware.
Layers of cream, earth, rust, and deep brown move across the surface through mineral glaze application and firing.
The hand-carved Greek inscription emerges from the worked clay, while variations in brushwork, glaze movement, and surface texture give the vessel its individual character.
No two surfaces, inscriptions, or silhouettes are identical. Every variation belongs to this unique work.
DETAILS
Collection: THE SACRED
Form: Christian stoneware bowl
Material: High-fired stoneware
Language: Greek
Inscription: Οὐκ ἐπ’ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ
Translation: Not by bread alone.
Scriptural Reference: Matthew 4:4 · Luke 4:4
Inscription Method: Hand-carved
Surface: Layered mineral glazes
Dimensions: Approx. 2.5 in. H × 5.5 in. diameter
Capacity: Approx. 20–24 fl oz
Weight: Approx. 1.25–1.75 lb
Firing: Cone 6
Edition: Unique Work
Created: July 2026
House Record: DV.2026.005
THE FOUNDER'S MARK
The earliest works of DOM VECHERA bear DS, the original maker's mark used by Olga before the establishment of the House. These works retain the mark as part of their provenance.
ДОМ ВЕЧЕРА · HOUSE OF SACRED STONEWARE
