The Moroccan Arts and Crafts

Stroll through the medina of any Moroccan city and the sensation of metal, the smell of leather is tanned and the vibrant colors of fabrics dyed by drying in the breeze will be all your senses.
Morocco is a paradise for traditional craftsmanship and the work is first class. Here are some of the objects to be discovered in the souks and museums.
Zellige
Moroccan handmade tiles (zellige) are considered to be the most beautiful and highest quality tiles in the world. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures.
Considered unique, this Islamic art can be used to decorate floors, walls, ceilings, fountains, tables, and swimming pools.
Found in mosques and ancient Islamic buildings, these tiles are now used as decoration in every room of the house: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, swimming pool…
You can compose your mosaic according to your interior, as it adapts to all styles, from “country” to modern “artistic”, by combining different colors and complex geometric shapes.
Hand embroidery

If you’ve ever visited Morocco, most of the Moroccan embroideries on display in the tiny shops in the Medina have encountered the beauty of Moroccan embroidery.
Before the 20th century, young Moroccan girls were introduced to embroidery by their mothers to generate income for their families.
Today, this art is no longer taught as much as it used to be, but this has not prevented embroidery enthusiasts from making this art flourish and make it a well-known Moroccan cultural tradition.
Moroccan hand embroidery is influenced and inspired by henna designs and Berber tattoos.
In Morocco, there are 4 types of hand embroidery:
Rabat Embroidery: Named after the capital of Morocco, this type of embroidery is mainly done on white cotton, focusing more on embroidering one color on decorated silk. The most commonly used designs art floral or geometric.
Embroidery from Fez: Unlike Rabat embroidery, Fez embroidery uses blue or green as the main colors and the stitches are a mixture of straight and crossed shapes. The particularity of this embroidery is that it has no knots or tangles; the fabric has the same pattern on the front and back.
Gold thread: This type of embroidery is very popular in Fez. Mainly decorative, it is used at various celebrations in festive garments. Being made with leather, silk, or velvet garments, the technique requires a lot of effort and is carried out by male artisans.
Berber Embroidery: When tattoos ceased to be a Berber custom, Berber women began to embroider their scarves using bright colors on dark backgrounds, creating unique and beautiful designs.
Ceramics
In Moroccan legend, the land where a potter works is sacred and must not be occupied by another. From the ancient dishes created in Fez to the modern tajines in the souks, the enamels, patterns, and colors are magnificent. Take a look at the tiles of the buildings to discover more exquisite craftsmanship. The National Crafts Museum in Rabat is a great place to see pottery and other handicrafts.
Jewelry

Moroccan Jewelry reflects different tribal traditions. Centuries ago, Jewelry was made by Jewish craftsmen, as Muslims did not touch silver and gold at that time.
Traditional Jewelry, one of the richest and most beautiful expressions of Moroccan culture and style, was originally worn by brides at their weddings.
From large coin necklaces and silver bracelets with baroque motifs and Berber symbols, this exquisite heritage can be found in the small shops of the old medinas of Tiznit, Essaouira, Marrakech, and Fez.
Combining gold and precious stones such as rubies and emeralds, necklaces, earrings or bracelets can also carry Fatima’s hand as a pendant, a symbol to ward off the evil eye.
Leather
During your stay in Morocco, it is best to visit the tanneries in Fez. The name of the city has become synonymous with the best leatherwork in the world.
You will find the most authentic leather goods in the world in Moroccan shoes, bags, coats, and slippers.
Fez is famous for its thousand-year-old Chouara tannery, which houses ancient leather tanneries. The tanners transform the skins of different animals such as goats, sheep, camels, and cows into high-quality products that are sold in shops in the medina.