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Fez blue history
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Shapes

THE CERAMICS OF FEZ
Shapes

If you spend some time gazing at the pottery of Fez, you will of course notice that there are two major gourps. Shapes that are decorated with blue and those where several colours are used. Both groups consist of decorative or practical objects with a white background. The more this white (obtained from lead and tin oxide) is pure and brilliant, the more shows off the high technical and aesthetic quality of the object.
Of course, Fez is mainty known for the blue that decorates its various dishes.
This shade is no longer nowadays what it was as resently as the XIXth century, that is to say a soft shade with a metallic reflection curiously reminiscent of the Delft blue.
At the beginning of the XXth century, A. Bel reports having discovered earthenware tiles in Merinide medersas which illustrate the ancient technique of using local minerals, but its composition has been forgotten. A dish from the Batha museum collection dated 1274h (1854 AD) is an example of that ancient tradition wich has fallen into disuse. It gives off a steely blue metallic reflection which cannot be found today. Afterwards, the Fez potters used a cobalt blue which is more compact and contrasts perfectly with the while background. This blue was made from small powder provided by "fassi" merchants living in England.

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Last updated on may 2^nd, 2009