Bowl
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.
Bowls like this, called zlafa, are used for drinking water, milk and, especially, harira, a traditional soup. The bowls are particularly associated with the month of Ramadan, when they are used at sunset to break the fast. This bowl 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.
Bowls like this, called zlafa, are used for drinking water, milk and, especially, harira, a traditional soup. The bowls are particularly associated with the month of Ramadan, when they are used at sunset to break the fast. This bowl 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.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Tin-glazed earthenware, painted in cobalt blue |
Brief description | Bowl, tin-glazed eartheware, painted in blue, Morocco (Fez), ca. 1865 |
Physical description | Earthenware bowl glazed in white, with blue decoration on the exterior. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Given by George Maw |
Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Bowl of enamelled buff-coloured earthenware, painted in blue. MOORISH (Fez); 19th century. H. 2 in., diam. 5 1/2 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. Bowls like this, called zlafa, are used for drinking water, milk and, especially, harira, a traditional soup. The bowls are particularly associated with the month of Ramadan, when they are used at sunset to break the fast. This bowl 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. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 4234-1901 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | May 28, 2008 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest