Transform your home with the contemporary appeal of this ceramic vase featuring a natural clay finish and hand-painted grey accents. The artistic touch of Guatemalan artisan Lilyan Benecke makes its textured surface a captivating highlight in any room.
Made in Guatemala
Ceramic
Watertight
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"Our designs are directly related to the traditions, colors and customs of Guatemala, my beautiful country."
"I always say it was like love at first sight, because from the very first class I ever took in ceramics I became... fascinated with the technique and the material, and because I was able to combine it with my other passion, painting.
"Neither of my parents are artisans but, ever since I can remember, I've always loved art, especially painting. My parents enrolled me in art classes when I was a little girl, and that's how I came to learn about painting with oils. I've always wanted to learn more and eventually I studied interior design in Guatemala City, and a postgraduate course at the Bournemouth and Poole College of Arts in England. And that's when I fell in love with ceramic arts. Some years later, I won a scholarship to study ceramic techniques in China, which complemented my knowledge and — as if it were possible — made fall in love with ceramics even more!
"I don't remember the first ceramic piece I ever made, but I remember the first piece that impressed me as it if it had happened yesterday. It was a black vase with a stampede of white horses in relief. It is one of my favorite pieces.
"I began to work formally in this field in 1983, but it wasn't until 1993 that I formalized my workshop. Over the years, I have taught and trained a group of artisans who now work with me. Originally I thought I'd work with women from the villages around Antigua but, little by little, I came to realize they weren't interested in this art form and so now my team is made up of male artisans. Completely opposite to what I originally wanted but, throughout this time, I've come to appreciate the men's abilities and thirst for learning to paint and work with this type of materials. Now at the workshop we feel like a family where we help each other, collaborating together to make the best art possible in the least amount of time.
"Looking back, one of my favorite stories is when we received a big order and the clay we used, which I always get from suppliers in the U.S., started to crack in the kiln, ruining every piece we had made. My suppliers said they had changed the formula and, since each type of clay has its own specifications, we had to start from scratch. We lost a considerable amount of time and I was really embarrassed, but I didn't want to upset my customer. We all worked really hard for long hours until we completed the order, which made us very happy but it also made us stronger as a team.
"My dream is to continue sharing my expertise and techniques with people who are interested in working and learning. Whenever I'm looking for someone to offer them a job and have them join our team, my main concern is what they are like as a person – this is something that doesn't change whereas techniques and paintings are abilities that can be learned. I'd much rather have someone that knows nothing at all about ceramics but who has a good attitude and enjoys working as a team.
"Today, my favorite part of this work is coming up with new designs because I can let my imagination run free. I can give life to new designs that exist only in my mind. My inspiration comes from all that surrounds me, and I try to create products that are right for everyday needs. Utilitarian products must be practical and well, really useful.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to show and promote my collections. Our designs are directly related to the traditions, colors and customs of Guatemala, my beautiful country.
"I sign my products as Topis, a term I used to say to my children when they were little. Any time they did something great or had a good attitude about something, we'd regarded as being Top of the Class. But since that's too long to say, we shortened it to topis. So when I opened my workshop and needed a name, Topis was perfect, because my ceramics are Top of the Class!"
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
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WIN # 3
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UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.
