We've always liked Moroccan tiles - one of our favorite things about living in Los Angeles was the fairly frequent spotting of these patterned beauties in unexpected places. We don't see them as often in Chicago, but a feature in Sunday's Tribune Magazine was on a suburban Illinois home with Moroccan influences throughout. These Moorish tiles were included in the accompanying resource section.
If you have ever gotten a chance to visit Morocco, there are Government sanctioned Pottery Factories in Fez, that along with producing beautiful metal rimmed ceramic bowls/tagines, etc...make the richly colored ceramic mosaic tile that is used throught the country.
Sadly, in the "new" part of Fez- I saw the equivalent of a Tile Outlet, selling tile similar to the Picture > silkscreened glazes >kinda a "faux" Moroccan effect.
If you have any appreciation for the "craft" of Mosaic tile work, and the compexity of it- you will "run" away from these tiles- as quickly as you would from Formica versus REAL wood.
view ManofSteel's profile
Out of curiosity, what is the "government sanctioned" bit about?
view boomer's profile
Moor-"ish" is right...these are not as beautiful as real Moroccan and Moorish tiles:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norarocket/251884520/in/set-72157594298527172/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norarocket/251904311/in/set-72157594298527172/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norarocket/251884510/in/set-72157594298527172/
view Nora Rocket's profile
"Out of curiosity, what is the "government sanctioned" bit about?"
Good question boomer....
Basically - one can be assured of a way of doing business "safely" /not getting ripped off by unscrupulous Rug Merchant types..and that the quality and craft, is "authentic" to the traditional methods used in creating these wares.
Not just cheap tzchokies made for Tourist Trade (like a lot of what you see imported into the U.S. is- especially in Marrakesh named stores)
Pottery Factory info in "Fes el Bali":
Fakhari Mohamed Gerant
16 Quartier des Potiers
Route Sidi Harazem
Fez, Maroc
64.93.22
view ManofSteel's profile
Wait a minute - I sell rugs. What are you saying, that anyone who sells rugs is unscrupulous? I don't think that's what you're saying. Maybe you mean simply "getting ripped off by unscrupulous types"?
Anyway - if you're still reading this thread - please tell us where to get more information on traveling to Morocco. I want to go there and other middle east countries but not as part of a tour on tight schedules. I want specifically to target the bazzars and such. How would I find out the best ways to travel safely and to get good deals at the bazzars etc?
view boomer's profile
Boomer--Morocco is beautiful, inexpensive, safe(r than some places), and a GREAT trip. Must-do, must-see in my opinion. Contact me off-board if you want to hear about how two white girls got from Chicago to Marrakech and Essaouira via Madrid, Granada, and Tangier, all on a budget and in only two weeks of USA-standard vacation: ifmanis5 AT hotmail DOT com. Make the subject line very indicative--I whitelist and will need to find your message in my trash folder.
view Nora Rocket's profile
Nora Rocket - I emailed you...thanks for the offer!
view boomer's profile
Boomer- you may sell Rugs- but NOT how they sell 'em in Morocco.
Ask any one who has ever traveled there/from the folks who just dip their toe into Morocco while taking a ferry from Malaga, Spain to Tangier - to the RoughGuiders, who have eaten grilled sheep balls w/ the Berbers under a tent....the Moorocan Rug Merchants will hustle you, like you've never been hustled.
I can go on to describe the experience- but just pick up ANY guide/Travel book on Morocco- and you'll read at length about what travellers there encounter/endure to look at, let alone, buy a rug.
They leave no prisoners.
view ManofSteel's profile
ManofSteel - They may indeed leave no prisoners, but I sure did get a nice rug! I did not feel bilked and I think I held my own by bargaining mostly in French. I'm sure I paid more than some might have, but "more" in Moroccan dirham wasn't much more in USD.
view Nora Rocket's profile
It's so exciting to read all this talk about Morocco. I was born in the US, to Moroccan parents. I was raised in southern Spain (Malaga) and have always visited Morocco regularly. In 1999, I moved to New York City, where I spent 8 years. I recently relocated to Chicago.
Having spent a substantial amount of time living, and experiencing, three very different societies, the intermingling of cultures has always felt quite natural and genuine to me. I've always felt inspired to share my understanding and experiences, and it is this that has fueled the enthusiasm behind my new business venture, Moraco Imports, an online store that will be selling Moroccan home decor items by artisans in Morocco.
I agree with manofsteel, yes, there is plenty of haggling. I feel, however, that it has so much more to do with economics, and the culture of the poor, than anything else.
There is so much to say about Morocco.
view Nawal's profile
I'm an interior designer in San Francisco and i've done so many Moorish inspired homes .
There is a company called Saint Tropez Boutique located in San francisco who specialized in all the Moorish inspired home decor and Moroccan tiles you may check out their websites:
http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezstone.com
http://www.sainttropezboutique.net
or just call them at : (415) 513-5920
they also have a georgous showroom located at : 25 evelyn way, San Francisco, CA 94127
Marie,
view marie54's profile