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 ware 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.

The form of this vase resembles a European jardinière, an ornamental plant or flower stand. The vase was donated to the V&A by George Maw, founder of Maw & Co., a British manufacturer of ceramic tiles. The company won many medals and awards at the international exhibitions which were a feature of the late 19th century. This vase was displayed at the 1871 Annual International Exhibition held in London.