BEST PORTUGAL BRANDS
Ana Águas article
Lisboa, Aveiro and the clay in between and this is how Manteiga is born
It was among the corridors of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon that the discovery began. But the seed was already there, well before – in Aveiro, between ceramic tradition and the fascination with handmade. Years later, this passion turns into a life project: the Butter, a ceramics studio that combines design with sustainability, the gift to memory.
Butter took shape in 2024, in the heart of Lisbon, marking a union between tradition, design and sustainability. More than a creative project, Butter is the materialization of an old dream: share a deep passion for ceramics, for its textures, forms and stories that take shape between hands and clay.
The founder of Manteiga discovered this universe in 2018, during his studies in Equipment Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon. It was there, between classes, workshops and sensory experiences, that clay stopped being just a material and became a language. A form of expression with deep roots, where manual gesture meets creative thinking and cultural memory.
But the connection to ceramics began long before. Grew up in Aveiro, a city historically marked by the Portuguese ceramic tradition. Surrounded by tiles, crockery and workshops that are part of the everyday landscape, was absorbing, almost without realizing, the fascination with organic forms and the imperfect beauty of the handmade. This emotional heritage would gain strength and purpose throughout his academic and professional career..
After graduation, decided to deepen his knowledge with a Masters in Design for Sustainability. It was in this context that ceramics once again occupied the center of his research and practice., leading her to dedicate her thesis to the topic. This stage consolidated not only the technical knowledge, but also a more conscious and responsible approach, focused on valuing local resources, in artisanal processes and the creation of lasting pieces.
Butter he was born, like this, with a clear mission: create unique and timeless pieces, who respect time, materials and know-how. Each object is produced manually in the studio in Lisbon, with attention to details, functionality and aesthetics. The shapes are simple, organic, with a contemporary touch that does not forget traditional roots. The choice of name — Manteiga — suggests softness, comfort and a certain emotional side, just like the objects that the brand proposes: designed to be part of everyday life and last for many years.
But Manteiga is more than a ceramic brand: It is also a space for sharing and creation. In the studio, in addition to the production of parts, workshops and creative experiences are promoted, that invite the public to come into contact with clay, experimenting with techniques, getting your hands dirty and discovering the pleasure of creating something with time and intention. This direct contact with the artisanal process promotes not only the appreciation of manual work, as well as a more attentive and sensitive look at the objects that surround us.
Sustainability, authenticity and respect for tradition are the pillars that support the brand. In an era marked by rapid consumption and uniformity, this Portuguese brand offers an alternative: objects with soul, hand -made, with time and care. Pieces that tell stories, carry memories and become part of the daily life of those who choose them.
Today, Manteiga is a small universe where design meets art, where the past dialogues with the present and where ceramics gain new forms of expression. A project born from clay and dreams, with our feet firmly on the ground and our hands full of desire to create.
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