place for pottery," Stepan
says, so within a few years,
the family returned to Jeru-
salem, and Stepan learned
the craft from his father.
After the partners died in
1962, the sons of each family
went their own ways. The
Karakashians returned to the
Via Dolorosa, where they we
gathered the Six Day War
with just one broken window
pane. "We closed for five days
and then continued under
Israeli rule," Stepan recalls.
Their work was appreciated
by Israeli officials, who com-
missioned the brothers to add
Hebrew names to each street
sign in the Old City, which
they had made in English and
Arabic a few years earlier.
Business has improved
since 1967, as throngs of
tourists discover the
brothers' handiwork. But suc-
cess has not changed their
ways. "My brother and I
work with our own hands,"
Stepan says. "We have
'wipers, but we still do the
basic work ourselves."
Interestingly, Jerusalem is
the only place where Ar-
menians still practice their
ancient craft. Although Ar-
menian designs are produced
in Thrkey, most of the work is
done by i.irks. And in Amer-
ica and elsewhere that Arme-
nians live, young people have
not carried on the tradition.
Jerusalem Pottery's future
was assured a couple of years
ago when Stepan's son Hagop
joined his father and uncle.
He is learning everything
from mixing colors to crafting
each piece as though it was
an important work of art, and
dealing with customers who
come from every corner of the
earth.
Several young Armenians
in Jerusalem have small one-
man workshops, and the
Karakashians eagerly offer
them advice and guidance,
especially about firing and
colors.
"I don't worry about corn-
petition," Stepan says firmly.
"Our work has a unique style,
and there is enough room for
many people.
"This is not a factory," he
continues. "It is a very small
family workshop. We cannot
mass produce our wares.
"We enjoy coming to work
each day. I might not be a
very rich man, but I enjoy my
work and I am proud of it.
That is very fortunate,"
Stepan says. ❑

Carl Schrag is a writer who
lives in Israel.

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