Hand-thrown ceramics, Lisbon studio
Maya Okafor
Stoneware and porcelain for everyday use. Each piece thrown, glazed, and fired by hand in a small Lisbon studio.
Selected work
A rotating selection of recent pieces. Tap any image to see it larger.
Morning mugs, speckled white
Bloom series bowls
Everyday plates, oatmeal glaze
Cradle bowl, matte sand
Glazing in the studio
Fresh from the kiln
About the work
Made slowly, by hand.
I work in small batches, throwing each piece on the wheel and glazing it by hand. No two are ever quite the same. I love the quiet marks that come from a thing being made by a person, not a machine. Every piece is food, microwave, and dishwasher safe, and made to be used every day.
Available work
Tableware
MugPopular
$42Speckled white, holds a generous cup.
Everyday bowl
$48Deep enough for a real bowl of soup.
Dinner plate
$54Oatmeal glaze, gently uneven rim.
Serving platter
$120For bread, fruit, or the middle of the table.
Vases and vessels
Bud vase
$65A single stem looks right in it.
Tall vaseNew
$145Matte sand, made to be seen empty too.
One-off vessel
From $180One of a kind, never repeated.
Sets
Coffee set for twoPopular
$150Two mugs and a small pourer.
Dinner set for four
From $420Plates, bowls, and mugs for four.
Commissions, start to finish.
Want something made just for you? Here is how it goes.
- 01
Get in touch
Tell me what you have in mind, your colors, and your timing.
- 02
We sketch it out
I send a sketch, a glaze sample, and a quote to approve.
- 03
I make it
Thrown, glazed, and fired by hand. Usually three to five weeks.
- 04
Wrapped and shipped
Packed with care and sent to your door, anywhere.
Kind words.
Maya's pieces sell out the week they land. Customers come back for the whole set.
Casa Mendes
Lisbon design store
I use my Okafor bowl every single day. It has only grown more beautiful with time.
Ana R.
Collector
Quietly some of the most desirable tableware coming out of Portugal right now.
Folha Magazine
Feature, 2025
Good to know.
+Do you ship internationally?
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide. Everything is packed by hand to arrive safely, and shipping is calculated at checkout.
+How do I care for my piece?
How do I care for my piece?
All work is food, microwave, and dishwasher safe. A gentle hand wash will keep the glaze looking its best for years.
+What if it arrives damaged?
What if it arrives damaged?
It almost never happens, but if it does, send a photo within a week and I will remake or refund it.
+Can I buy for my shop?
Can I buy for my shop?
Yes. I take a limited number of wholesale orders each season. Join the studio list or get in touch.
+Why are some pieces sold out?
Why are some pieces sold out?
Everything is made in small batches. New work drops every few weeks, so join the list to catch it.
New work, first dibs.
Join the studio list for new drops, studio sales, and the occasional look behind the scenes. A few emails a month, never more.
Want something made just for you?
Commissions are open. Tell me what you have in mind, and let's make it.