Traditional red clay pottery was used to create red clay pots, intended for use as cooking utensils and as a means to transport, preserve and store food. The pots are entirely handmade, with the main tool being the low and slow pedal wheel on which the clay is placed and the pots are formed. The red colour of the pots comes from the clay, which is made from local red soil mixed with water.
The art of red clay pottery was practiced mainly by women in the mountainous Troodos region – particularly Agios Demetrios Marathasas, Phini and Kaminaria – as well as Kornos, Klirou, Vikla and Klonari. It survives to this day by being passed on from one generation to the next by the “mastorisses” potters and generous efforts of local organisations.