Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources

 The rich pottery tradition of Moroccan Pottery

Large Moroccan antique polychrome decorated bowl with arabesque motif.

City of Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco is renown for its pottery, covered with complex geometric, arabesque and beautiful, rich patterns. Moroccan art has been influenced by a diversity of cultures due to being occupied by Romans,Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantine Greeks ( 278AD to 429AD ) and the conquering Arabs who introduced their Islamic civilization in the late 7th century. The indigenous Berber tribes were generally converted to Islam around this time.The intricate hand-painted ceramics of Morocco usually reveal designs that have been influenced by Islamic culture. Some tribes in Morocco have been painting the same design for over 200 years.

Their pottery tended to be hand painted with fine details, deep colors, and a variety of hand spun designs. The Muslim Arab invasion and settlement of Morocco and Spain in the 7th–9th century led to an upheaval in the ceramic production of utilitarian & decorative vessels and architectural features. Over 8,000 artisans from Andalusia in Spain were brought into Fez and spread their techniques and styles of Islamic designs using tin oxide, lead fritted, opaque low fire glazes. The infusion of Islamic thought into every aspect of daily life became a prominent influence, where even common utilitarian vessels became the carrier of either a pattern that could be related back to the Infinity of God, or to the Word of God. Islamic patterns based on Muslim principles of a balance between the male (geometric or containing design) and female principle (arabesque, vegetal or foliage decoration) were used. The other common style of Moroccan pottery was of Berber orientation which featured hand built, clay slip decorated tribal pottery, characteristically using signs and symbols to repel evil spirits and insure protection for the owner and potter. The Berbers considerd their work more “masculine” than the other more decorative, colorful and “feminine” urban Moroccan pottery.

As the “wild west” of the Islamic world, Morocco quickly became a haven for many dissidents, rebels and refugees from the eastern caliphate. Among these was Idris ibn Abdallah, who with the help of the local Awraba Berbers, founded the Idrisid Dynasty in 788. His son Idris II erected a splendid new capital at Fez and launched Morocco as a centre of learning and a major power. The Imperial city of Fez is one of the kingdom’s most beautiful places. It offers uniquely designed and colored Moroccan ceramics with an Islamic influence viewed in the intricate pattern, colors, design and production. For over six centuries Fez has proudly created the finest Moroccan pottery. Its beauty comes from the complex knowledge of geometry passed on from father to son. Fez is renowned for the choice of cobalt oxide that permits to obtain every shade of blue. Polychrome enameled ware is more respected in Morocco.

In 1660, Morocco came under the control of the Alawite dynasty. It is a sherif dynasty—descended from the prophet Muhammad—and rules Morocco to this day. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Morocco was one of the Barbary States, the headquarters of pirates who pillaged Mediterranean traders. Morocco was colonized by both the French and the Spanish.

The floral and geometric Moroccan designs are available in cobalt blue and multicolour. This  highly decorative ceramic style was greatly influenced by the Moorish and Spanish culture. The main centers for ceramics are Safi, which produces pottery inlaid with metal , and Fez, which produces the very distinctive blue and white fassi pottery.

Antique Moroccan covered soup tureen.

Moroccan Arabic Calligraphy Vase

Fez Tagine

Safi lidded Jar

Moroccan Ceramic Artist, Tamegroute

Moroccan pottery jars

Safi Antique Plate

Fez Ceramic Basin

Two gigantic amphoras as emblems of the city of Safi, Morocco ( L.Mahin )

Alhambra Vase from Marrakesh painted with Moorish motifs

Vase Morocco

Moroccan Safi Plate

Marrakech Pottery Shop

Moroccan charger

Moroccan Platter

Moroccan Safi Vase – mustard glaze with engraved metal detail

Moroccan lidded vessel

Moroccan bowl

Moroccan tea set

( Mosak Store )

Mosquée de Tinmel. Maroc
by courregesg

Plates at one of Morocco’s renowned bazaars

Camel Art
by osaprio

Large Exotic Pottery Olive Jar

Moroccan Antique Spice Jar and Pitcher

Antique handmade Safi ceramic plate with engraved silver detailing

( Casbah Decor )

Moroccan Pottery Shop

( Peregrin@ Flickr )

Antique Moroccan vase

Marrakesh Moroccan Vase

( Berber Trading )

Moroccan Lidded Jar

A traditional Ginger Jar from Fez. Hardened in the sun, then fired three times in the process of creating a piece with depth, colour and shine. The final application of a silver alloy traces the designs on the vase, a time-consuming process that requires a great eye for detail and skill. This vase took over a month to make by hand.

Chili Vase Engraved–(Morocco)

21-inch-Engraved ceramic jar Morocco

Moroccan ewer

Moroccan dish with filigree decoration

Bottle/vase Morocco

Late 19th Early 20th Islamic Moroccan Safi Glazed Pottery Vase with twin handles

Moroccan tagine, black and white glaze

Islamic style water fountain – Morocco

Antique geometric vase

Morocco 1926

source quoted – Nano Nore

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