Pottery is one of the oldest arts on the island of Sifnos, dating back to the Middle Cycladic period (2000-1500 BCE). The tradition of pottery in Sifnos is mainly due to the abundance of refractory clay (a product of the weathering of shales) on the island and the mild climatic conditions. Over time, the people from Sifnos became closely associated with the art and trade of pottery, in which the locals showed exceptional talent. Historically, when piracy plagued the Cycladic islands, potteries were located in the interior of the island and production met local needs. Later, when the danger disappeared -especially after the establishment of the Modern Greek State in 1830- potters moved their facilities to coastal areas, where suitable conditions for their profession existed, along with the possibility of developing export trade. As the distances from the main settlements were long, potters stayed at their workplace throughout the week and returned home on Saturday afternoon, leaving again on Monday morning.

During the heyday of pottery, there was a division of labour in the workshops, and the production process involved various specialities: the branch maker, the spade maker, the muleteer, the boulder maker, the craftsman and his assistant. Today, clay potters on Sifnos continue to produce traditional utilitarian objects for cooking and storage, alongside modern decorative items, experimenting new forms and colours, which are highly appreciated by tourists and visitors to the island.