When you browse the vibrant chaos of a Moroccan souk, your eye is invariably drawn to the mountains of glazed earthenware—from towering tagines to intricate dinner plates. This pottery is more than functional; it is a canvas upon which Morocco’s history has been painted, fired, and perfected over centuries.
At Chez La Futée, we celebrate this heritage by sourcing pieces from the two great, opposing centers of Moroccan ceramics: Fes, the historic master of elegant blue-and-white tradition, and Safi, the coastal powerhouse known for its bold, sun-drenched palette.
Fes: The Blue & White Masterpiece
Fes, the spiritual and intellectual heart of Morocco, has been the unrivaled center of pottery excellence since the 8th century. The style is instantly recognizable and carries a deep cultural weight:
The Story in the Glaze
The renowned Fes Blue is a brilliant cobalt hue that tells a tale of migration. This intricate style was profoundly influenced by the Moorish artisans and scholars who fled Andalusia (Spain) after the Reconquista. They brought with them the Islamic and European tradition of using blue and white to render complex geometric and floral patterns.
The Clay Difference
What sets Fes ceramics apart is the clay itself. Sourced from the white, mineral-rich soil surrounding the city, this clay is finer and stronger than others, allowing artisans to throw thinner, more delicate pieces. The result is an elegant, almost porcelain-like quality that perfectly showcases the intricate, repetitive motifs that symbolize infinity and divine order. Owning a piece of vintage Fes pottery is like owning a fragment of a royal library.
Safi: A Kaleidoscope of Color
Travel southwest to the Atlantic coast, and the artistic temperament shifts dramatically. Safi, a bustling port city, offers a style that is as wild, energetic, and colorful as its ocean backdrop.
Boldness Over Subtlety
Where Fes prizes intricate symmetry and blue-and-white restraint, Safi embraces a kaleidoscope of color. The influence here is often more regional and indigenous, employing glazes in rich:
-
Deep Greens (symbolizing nature and life)
-
Saffron Yellows (representing the desert and sun)
-
Terracotta Reds (reflecting the earth)
Safi designs often feature more pictorial or fluid motifs, sometimes incorporating birds, fish, or slightly looser geometric patterns. The pieces are typically robust and heavy, reflecting a practical, coastal sensibility, making them durable and visually stunning focal points.
Shopping for Vintage Pottery: Tips from a Curator
When you are looking for authentic vintage ceramics, especially those that have traveled from the bustling workshops of Fes and Safi, the "imperfections" are actually signs of authenticity and age.
-
Look for the Glaze's Personality: True vintage pieces often feature uneven glazing or small "runs" where the glaze settled during the firing process. This is the mark of a piece thrown by hand and fired in a traditional kiln. Perfect, uniform glazing usually signals modern, industrial production.
-
Inspect the Foot/Base: The bottom ring (or "foot") of the pottery should feel rough and unglazed where it was sitting in the kiln. On older pieces, you might find small chips or wear here, which confirms its age and use.
-
Embrace the Crazing: On many vintage plates and tagines, you will see a network of fine lines, like cracks in the glaze, known as crazing. This naturally occurs as the clay body and the glaze age at different rates. Crazing is not damage; it is the signature of time and adds wonderful patina.
Conclusion: Styling Clay as Decorative Art
A piece of vintage Moroccan pottery is too beautiful to be confined to the kitchen.
-
The Wall Gallery: Group vintage Safi plates of varying sizes on a deep-colored wall to create a striking, colorful centerpiece.
-
The Statement Tagine: Use an antique tagine (without the need to cook in it) as an exotic, sculptural centerpiece on a coffee table or dining console.
-
Functional Beauty: Fill vintage Fes bowls with fresh fruit or jewelry to add a pop of patterned blue elegance to your dresser or bookshelf.
A ceramic piece from Fes or Safi doesn't just hold food; it holds history, tradition, and the vibrant artistic spirit of Morocco.
Explore our curated collection of vintage Moroccan ceramics and find your perfect piece of history today.
