In the 1600s, Armenian artisans in a small Turkish town named Kutahya worked within a distinctive Islamicate style in decorative ceramic ware as well as tiles, while also developing a series of unique and instantly recognizable local styles including playful figures, ceramic eggs, coffee cups, rosewater jars and various types of votive objects. In late 1918, after British forces occupied Aleppo, David Ohannessian learned that Mandatory authorities were seeking a ceramicist skilled in historical renovation to consult on the restoration of the
Dome of the Rock. Ohannessian(commons), a renowned ceramicist who had established a workshop in Kutahya in 1907 and had developed an international clientele there, but had been deported to Aleppo in 1916, made his way to Jerusalem to consult on the planned renovation of the monument. After some experiments with the existing 19th century
kiln and local materials, Ohannessian returned to Kutahya to obtain the needed clays and other minerals and recruit the remaining Armenian ceramicists to join him in Jerusalem. Ohannessian brought 8-10 Kutahya artisans to Jerusalem in 1919, including the expert wheel potter Nishan Balian, and the accomplished painter Mgrditch Karakashian. Balian and Karakashian worked for Ohannessian until 1922, when they struck out on their own, opening a second Armenian ceramics atelier in Jerusalem, located on
Nablus Road. In 1966 the Balian and Karakashian families split their businesses and established separate workshops. The Balian atelier was known as the Palestinian Pottery and Marie was the master painter. Neshan Balian, Marie's son feels compelled to continue the family tradition. He studied ceramic engineering in the United States == Fame and recognition ==