This Tata made jug — defined by its bridge handle and a tapered spout — was designed for the daily rhythms of life in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco.
From our Heirloom collection.
Kabylia, Algeria. An authentic antique water jug hand-built using traditional coiling techniques. A primary example of Amazigh tribal pottery.
The surface exhibits a matte finish with natural variations in the slip and visible signs of age. These markings serve as a definitive visual record of its functional history.
Part of our Heirloom Collection.
Images of decaying kasbahs within the “Oasis of a Thousand Palms.” These fortified structures were traditionally built as multi-family dwellings and defensive strongholds for local governors or merchant families.
The survival of a kasbah is entirely dependent on its custodians. The pisé (rammed earth) used in Skoura is a living material, and to remain standing, it requires a rhythmic cycle of maintenance—applying new layers of mud and straw plaster to seal the walls against the rare but heavy desert rains.
Photos: @jmsstapleton
A striking hand-painted earthenware vessel originating from the Djurdjura region of Kabylie, Northern Algeria. Dating to the early to mid-20th century, this piece is a testament to the ancient pottery tradition of the Kabyle people, a prominent Amazigh (Berber) ethnic group.
In Kabyle society, pottery is traditionally a female-led craft, with skills and symbolic knowledge passed down matrilineally through generations. This vessel is not merely utilitarian; it is an expressive art form. The intricate geometric patterns are applied by hand and carry deep cultural weight, often serving as a visual language specific to a family or village. Such objects were often treasured family possessions, featured in dowries, or used in ceremonial contexts.
Available online as part of our Heirloom collection.
#morocco #northafrica #amazigh #kabyle
Large terracotta serving dish from the Draa Valley region of Southern Morocco.
Hand-coiled and pit-fired, the piece features a deep, expansive basin supported by a raised foot.
The surface bears a natural patina acquired over decades of traditional domestic use, featuring subtle “fire clouds”—darkened areas where the kiln’s flames directly licked the clay.
Available online as part of our Heirloom collection.
#Morocco #NorthAfrica #interiordesign
In Morocco the traditional method of leather production has remained virtually unchanged for centuries in the medinas of Fez and Marrakesh.
In an interconnected network of stone vats, tanners work with their hands and feet to clean, soften, and dye using natural ingredients in a process that transforms the raw hides into exquisitely soft leather.
A group of boys stand perched on the coastal walls of Casablanca, the Hassan II mosque visible behind them in the hazy summer air.
Photo: @jmsstapleton
