Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Tureen

ca. 1865 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Fez is an important centre for Moroccan pottery and is particularly associated with a distinctive form of blue and white ceramic ware which became popular in the late 19th century. These glazed Fassi (from Fez) wares were made by professional male potters as decorative tableware for urban consumers. Their style may have been influenced by the appearance of Chinese porcelain, historically made available through Mediterranean trade. Another factor was the availability of increasingly pure cobalt blue imported from Europe from the 1850s onwards.

This large tureen, or jubbana, was originally used to curdle milk (its name comes from the Arabic for cheese, jubna) but today it is more often associated with the serving of harira, a traditional soup served at festivals, especially during Ramadan. The tureen was donated to the Museum of Practical Geology by George Maw, founder of Maw & Co., a British manufacturer of ceramic tiles, and transferred to the V&A in 1901. The Maw company won many medals and awards at the international exhibitions which were a feature of the late 19th century. A label inside the tureen suggests that it was loaned to one such exhibition by George Maw.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Tureen
  • Tureen Cover
Materials and techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware, painted in cobalt blue
Brief description
Tin-glazed blue and white earthenware tureen with cover, Fez, Morocco, ca. 1865
Physical description
Earthenware tureen with cover, decorated in blue on a white ground.
Dimensions
  • Including lid height: 23.5cm
  • Diameter: 19.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
(Paper labels in bottom of bowl: [handwritten] 'Moorish pottery on loan. Fez. From Mr G. Maw, Benthall Hall, Broseley' [printed] 'International Exhibition / Exhibitor's name: G. Maw / No. of obj: 25'. Label on bottom 'Museum of Practical Geology 2793')
Gallery label
These objects show two types of urban pottery from Morocco, traditionally made by men. The unglazed wares were decorated with tar derived from the sap of conifers, which was dabbed on with the finger by the pottery vendor while sitting at his stall. The glazed jars are examples of production at Fez, where blue-and-white became characteristic in the late nineteenth century. [60 words] Again acquisition by Maw helps us date them. 6. Soup tureen (jubbana) Morocco, Fez, about 1870 Glazed earthenware, decorated in cobalt blue over a white slip Women used these jars to curdle milk: their name comes from jabn, the Arabic for cheese. Museum no. 4233&A-1901. Given by George Maw, Esq., F.G.S., F.S.A. Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street. [Text prepared by Mariam Rosser-Owen for new Ceramics galleries, 2008]
Credit line
Given by George Maw
Object history
Accessions register entry: 'Bowl and Cover of enamelled grey earthenware, painted in blue. MOORISH (Fez); 19th century. H. 9 1/4 in., diam. 7 7/8 in. Given by George Maw, Esq., F.G.S., F.S.A. Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street.'
Summary
Fez is an important centre for Moroccan pottery and is particularly associated with a distinctive form of blue and white ceramic ware which became popular in the late 19th century. These glazed Fassi (from Fez) wares were made by professional male potters as decorative tableware for urban consumers. Their style may have been influenced by the appearance of Chinese porcelain, historically made available through Mediterranean trade. Another factor was the availability of increasingly pure cobalt blue imported from Europe from the 1850s onwards.

This large tureen, or jubbana, was originally used to curdle milk (its name comes from the Arabic for cheese, jubna) but today it is more often associated with the serving of harira, a traditional soup served at festivals, especially during Ramadan. The tureen was donated to the Museum of Practical Geology by George Maw, founder of Maw & Co., a British manufacturer of ceramic tiles, and transferred to the V&A in 1901. The Maw company won many medals and awards at the international exhibitions which were a feature of the late 19th century. A label inside the tureen suggests that it was loaned to one such exhibition by George Maw.
Collection
Accession number
4233&A-1901

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Record createdMay 28, 2008
Record URL
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