Whispers of Apricot, 1910/2024

“Whispers of Apricot” – A Handpainted Decorative Ceramic Tile by Anna Tsetsos
Original 1910 Roof Tile | Vintage Ceramic | Botanical Motif with Family Heritage

Whispers of Apricot is a delicate ode to timeless beauty and quiet nostalgia, meticulously handpainted by Anna Tsetsos on a century-old ceramic roof tile salvaged from her grandmother’s house, where it once sheltered generations under its weathered strength.

Soft white and apricot-toned florals stretch upward like a garden memory unfolding, blooming across a deep olive-bronze background with the elegance of embroidery. The artist’s brush breathes gentle motion into every petal and stem, suggesting nature’s tender dance through seasons long past.

The restrained palette and vintage patina create a subtle, earthy harmony that honors both the rustic simplicity of the material and the heartfelt artistry that brings it to life. Tsetsos draws from the ceramic’s long history, allowing its character to remain visible beneath her painted blossoms.

“This was a quiet corner of my grandmother’s garden,” the artist shares. “There were apricot trees nearby. This piece carries that soft hush of spring mornings.”

Details:

• Medium: Antique ceramic roof tile (circa 1910)
• Technique: Acrylic handpainting with fine brush detail
• Dimensions: The tile is 39.2 cm in length, 17 cm wide at the bottom tapering to 13 cm at the top and 6 cm deep. There is a strong cord tied from the holes from which the tile can hang (see photos). It weighs 1.230 kg.
• Display: Wall-mounted
• Finish: Matte with aged glaze highlights
• Origin: Reclaimed from artist’s grandmother’s rooftop, Greece

With Whispers of Apricot, Tsetsos crafts a gentle bridge between memory and form—where a once-functional tile becomes a canvas for legacy, rooted in love.

Anna Tsetsos – Artist Bio

Anna Tsetsos is a contemporary Greek ceramic artist whose work bridges ancestral tradition with modern emotional expression. Born into a family of artisans in the northern Greece, Anna’s creative journey began at the intersection of folk craft and fine art. Her hand-thrown and handpainted ceramic pieces are infused with memory, symbolism, and the tactile rhythms of Mediterranean life.

Guided by a reverence for storytelling, Anna’s work draws from Byzantine iconography, mosaic forms, and floral motifs found in ancient Greek textile patterns. Each piece is a meditation on color, form, and emotion—crafted not just to be seen, but to be felt. She describes her process as “painting with instinct, sculpting with memory.”

Anna’s studio practice honors slow craftsmanship. Every plate, vessel, or tile is one-of-a-kind, made using natural materials and sustainable techniques. Her work has been featured in boutique galleries across Europe and has found a home in private collections that value authenticity, history, and soul.

Through her art, Anna invites viewers to reconnect with the sacred beauty of the everyday—transforming utilitarian objects into timeless expressions of joy, heritage, and presence.