Potterie

This is yet another example of the appeal of simple things to which the Berber people treat us quite often. While their textiles, as well as their jewels, tell us about an unlimited torrent of creativity and imagination without compromising a bit on their authenticity and the symbols and elements that define them as a group, earthenware vessels like this take us to the realm of the beauty of humble things. The design and lines of this old Berber handmade artisan clay  Berber dish from the region of Imi N Tanout in Morocco, with no painted decoration, boost all those aspects to which its undeniable decorative potential and the superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use to grind the pits of the argan tree fruits and obtain the dense paste from which the famous and precious argan oil is extracted.

This is yet another example of the appeal of simple things to which the Berber people treat us quite often. Clay earthenware vessels like this henna bowl, take us to the realm of the beauty of humble things. The design and lines of this old Berber handmade artisan clay  vessel from Foum Zguid region, with no enamel and no painted decoration, boost all those aspects to which its undeniable decorative potential and the superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use are not but an additional asset.    

A hand-made old Berber  whitish earthenware water jar or vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Low-fired, it is flat bottomed and both its sides and base are fairly thick. It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. It will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A lovely old earthenware vessel -bukala- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. It is used to store food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A hand-made old Berber whitish earthenware water jar or vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Low-fired, it is flat bottomed and both its sides and base are fairly thick. It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. It will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A lovely old earthenware vessel -bukala- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. It is used to store food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware vessel -bukala- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. It is used to store food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware water jug -guembura- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to transport water. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware water jug -guembura- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to transport water. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware pot -guedra- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to prepare food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware pot -guedra- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to prepare food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely antique earthenware vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. It was mainly used for the cleansing deemed necessary by the Coran before praying. Rare authentic ancestral beauty. 

Bonita olla  antigua de barro con tapa procedente la región montañosa del Rif, al norte de Marruecos. Este tipo de olla, con formas más sinuosas que la “Guedra”, se emplea para preparar comidas con bastante líquido, como guisos, purés o la famosa Jarera (sopa).

Great old Berber earthenware vessel from the Tata region in Morocco. Superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use.

Pequeña botella de cerámica decorada generalmente usada por los campesinos del Rif, a modo de cantimplora de agua cuando salen a sus labores diarias al campo. También utilizada para guardar y servir el licor de higo Ma’a Al Hayat.

This is yet another example of the appeal of simple things to which the Berber people treat us quite often. While their textiles, as well as their jewels, tell us about an unlimited torrent of creativity and imagination without compromising a bit on their authenticity and the symbols and elements that define them as a group, clay earthenware vessels like this milk pitcher  take us to the realm of the beauty of humble things. The design and lines of this old Berber handmade artisan clay  vessel from Taliouine in the Moroccan Anti Atlas region, with no enamel and no painted decoration, boost all those aspects to which its undeniable decorative potential and the superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use are not but an additional asset.    

This is yet another example of the appeal of simple things to which the Berber people treat us quite often. While their textiles, as well as their jewels, tell us about an unlimited torrent of creativity and imagination without compromising a bit on their authenticity and the symbols and elements that define them as a group, clay earthenware vessels like this milk pitcher  take us to the realm of the beauty of humble things. The design and lines of this old Berber handmade artisan clay  vessel from Taliouine in the Moroccan Anti Atlas region, with no enamel and no painted decoration, boost all those aspects to which its undeniable decorative potential and the superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use are not but an additional asset.    

A beautiful old earthenware vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco used to collect butter, honey or sugar. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A beautiful old earthenware milk pot -yuna- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to collect milk from the cattle. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A lovely old earthenware pot -guedra- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to prepare food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

An old Berber clay funnel from Morocco. It was probably used as a means to pour liquids into narrow neck containers. Superb patina.

Great and heavy old Moroccan Berber high footed old clay dish from the Tata region in Morocco. Superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use.

A superb old Moroccan Berber eathernware vessel to cook the traditiuonal couscous. The lower part would be used to stew lamb or chicken with vegetables and the upper part would be used to steam the couscous. A very authentic piece showing a great patina gained over years and years of constant use.

A lovely old earthenware pot -guedra- from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Used to prepare food. The pottery from the Rif region is handmade by women using the coil technique. Once the piece is molded, it will be polished and a slip (engobe) is applied to it. Traditional tribal designs are painted with natural dyes that, in addition to decorating, have prophylactic and flattering effects. Finally, it is cooked in primitive adobe ovens or buried in embers. Authentic ancestral beauty!

A hand-made old Berber earthenware water jar or vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco.  It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. It will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A nice Moroccan glazed ceramic bowl.

A nice Moroccan glazed ceramic bowl.

A nice moroccan Tadelakt ceramic bowl. So decorative.

An old hand-made Berber artisan large earthenware water jar or vessel from the area of Taounate in the Rif mountain range to the north-east of the Moroccan imperial city of Fes. Low-fired, it is flat bottomed and both its sides and base are fairly thick. That, together with its somewhat irregular shape, makes us thing that it was entirely hand-made by the artisan without using a potter's wheel which adds up to its charm. It features a typical Berber simple geometric sylized decoration possibly drawn with a small pick or some goat hairs and natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. The handles are very original and remind somehow the head of a ram. It is in an overall very good general state and will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A truly great Berber old clary earthenware vessel from the Taliouine-Sous region in Southern Morocco. It features a simple antlers or palm tree motif characteristic from this area. It would have served as cooking pot on open fire for many years, therefore it superb dark patina which enhances its overall appeal as an elegant decorative item.

A truly great Berber old clary earthenware vessel from the Taliouine-Sous region in Southern Morocco. It features a simply beautiful natural color motifs characteristic of this area. This type of vessels is generally used as cooking pots on an open fire but from the good condition of the motifs and patina it seems more likely to have served to store water or other kinds of dried food. Indeed a unique piece.

A hand-made old Berber  whitish earthenware water jar or vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco.  It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. It will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A hand-made old Berber  whitish earthenware water jar or vessel from the Rif region in Northern Morocco. Low-fired, it is flat bottomed and both its sides and base are fairly thick. It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments obtained from extracts of local plants such as the mastic tree. It will make a great contribution to any patio, garden, veranda or even interior decoration. A true ethnic piece enjoying an undeniable character.

A huge old -Jabia- or vessel made of clay and mineral oxides pigments from the Taounate region, in the Moroccan Rif. Used to store water or foods. It was modeled by skilled female hands, since women are who traditionally perform the pottery activity in the Rif. Following a singular ancestral technique, they model the piece based on mud cylinders without winch, later they decorate it with their characteristic designs and it is finally cooked in semi-excavated kilns in the earth at low temperature. The feminine pottery of the Rif is undoubtedly one of the most authentic expressions of ancestral Berber art.

Great and heavy old Moroccan Berber high footed old clay dish from the Tata region in Morocco. It features a typical Berber simple geometric stylized decoration made drawn with natural pigments and superb and warm patina due to years and years of traditional use.

A beautiful handmade Moroccan glazed pottery pot or -jobbana- from Fes featuring the characteristic and well-known lovely amazonite green color from that city. This shape is traditional in Moroccan pottery and pieces like this were used to keep butter, oil and other food stuff.