Pottery

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.

Morocco is a country that is full of diversity and natural beauty.  The inspirations on the streets of Marrakech is a great blend of vivid design and bold patterns.  Morocco possesses an extraordinary landscape and culture.  The inspiring arts and crafts in Morocco is a mixture of heritages such as Berber, Arab, French, English and Spanish.  Traditional Moroccan pottery and craftsmanship continues to become more and more popular throughout the world.

Several types of Moroccan pottery are produced such as unglazed pottery made for domestic and utilitarian use; painted and glazed decorative ceramics used for dinnerware and loose cut tiles.  This pottery is closely tied to the Moroccan people and their belief of magic and evil spirits.  Pottery was used to predict how successful a year a person was going to have.  Moroccans placed a couscous steamer on a tent pole and then push it off.  If it breaks into a few larger pieces, then the year will be successful.  If it falls and shatters into several small pieces, then winter will be poor and hard times are ahead.

Modern Moroccan pottery pieces are often colored cobalt blue that shine off a bold white background.  Designs include a variety of geometric shapes with leaves and flowers.  The vases come in an assortment of sizes, making them perfect to incorporate into a Moroccan interior design.  Flat, smaller pieces can be used on tables, while vases can be used to fill excess space.  Each piece of pottery is unique due to the firing technique used to create them.