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.
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.
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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 |
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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 created | May 28, 2008 |
Record URL |
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