Latgalian Ceramics

A five-armed clay candleholder, representative of the traditional Latgalian ceramic art of the region. The issuing state "LATVIJA" and the issue year "2020" appear above the design; the commemorative inscription "LATGALES KERAMIKA" appears below.

Latgale, the eastern region of Latvia, looks back on a pottery tradition that archaeological evidence traces to the Neolithic period. Latgalian ceramics — Latgales keramika in Latvian — developed over the centuries into a distinct craft with unmistakable features: red-firing clay from local deposits, geometric decorative patterns and the characteristic use of dark engobe. Candle holders and everyday vessels from the region in particular became export goods that carried Latgalian aesthetics far beyond the region's borders. Craft centres in towns such as Rēzekne and Ludza preserved this knowledge across generations, and the tradition is still kept alive today in family workshops and pottery schools.

Latgale's cultural identity is closely tied to this craft tradition — the region differs linguistically, historically and culturally from the rest of Latvia, which is also reflected in its material folk culture. Latgalian is a recognised regional language, and the craft is regarded as a visible bearer of this distinct identity. At Latvian folk art fairs and at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum near Riga, Latgalian pottery is among the most admired exhibits. In 2020, Latvia honoured this regional heritage with a 2-euro commemorative coin that brings the long-standing craft of Latgales keramika to a wide audience.