Fes Blue Gate: Pottery and Ceramics Shopping Guide

Fes Blue Gate: Pottery and Ceramics Shopping Guide - Complete Reference

The Fes medina, particularly around the iconic Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate), is Morocco's pottery capital. Centuries-old craft traditions continue in hidden workshops where artisans hand-throw, paint, and fire ceramics. This guide covers pottery types, workshops, shopping strategies, pricing, and the craft heritage of Fes ceramics.

Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate) Overview

Location

Gate Name: Bab Boujloud (formally), Bab Boujloud (English: "Blue Gate") Color: Iconic cobalt blue exterior (Jewish side); green Islamic side Medina Entry: Northern entrance into Fes medina Surroundings: Pottery shops, restaurants, tourist focal point

Why Pottery Central Here

Historical: Medieval quarter housed potters (organized guild system) Clay Availability: Clay quarries nearby (Sefrou region) Water: River runs through medina (essential pottery craft) Tradition: Generations same families pottery; apprenticeship-based

Pottery Types and Pricing

Hand-Thrown Plates (Most Common)

Design: Hand-painted, geometric or floral patterns Size: 25-40cm diameter typical Colors: Blue, green, white, traditional palette Price Range:

• Small (20cm): €10-20
• Medium (30cm): €20-40
• Large (40cm): €40-80

Quality Variance: Tourist-grade cheaper; fine pieces expensive Durability: Usually functional (dishwasher often okay, though handwash recommended)

Tajine Pots (Functional, Decorative)

Purpose: Both cooking vessel and display piece Size: 30-50cm diameter Decorative: Painted lid, colorful knobs Price Range: €25-80 depending size/quality Functionality: Can cook in (traditional); many display only Origin: Practical cookware originally; now tourism/decoration focus

Top Quality: €60-120 (fine workshops) Tourist Grade: €20-40 (mass-produced)

Bowls and Serving Dishes

Sizes: Small (dessert) to large (serving) Painted: Geometric designs typical Price Range: €8-50 depending size/quality Practicality: Functional; beautiful tablescape

Vases and Decorative Vessels

Styles: Traditional bulbous shapes, modern interpretations Size: 20-60cm height Price Range: €20-100+ Decorative: Often non-functional (beautiful display pieces)

Tile and Mosaic Pieces

Format: Individual tiles (20x20cm typical) or arranged mosaics Design: Zellige patterns (geometric), painted tiles Price: €5-20 per tile; mosaics €50-300 Challenge: Fragile; shipping difficult

Top Pottery Workshops and Shops

Traditional Workshops (Best Authenticity)

Sefroui Pottery Workshop:

• Location: Medina side streets near Blue Gate
• Owner: Sefroui family (4+ generations)
• Specialty: Hand-thrown, painted plates and tajines
• Prices: Mid-range (€20-60)
• Experience: Watch artisans work; buy directly (eliminates middleman)
• Language: Limited English; French okay

Moroccan Crafts Cooperative:

• Location: South medina (downhill Blue Gate)
• Specialty: Women artisans cooperative
• Products: Handmade ceramics, emphasis fair wages
• Prices: Fair-trade pricing (slightly higher)
• Social Impact: Supports women's economic independence

Fez Pottery Studio:

• Location: Northeast medina
• Owner: Modern artisan with traditional training
• Specialty: Contemporary designs with traditional techniques
• Prices: €30-150 (higher quality/modern aesthetic)
• Experience: Studio visits, custom orders possible

Retail Shops (Convenience, Higher Prices)

Bab Boujloud Pottery Shop (multiple):

• Location: Near Blue Gate (obvious location)
• Inventory: Wide selection, organized
• Prices: Tourist-inflated (30-50% markup)
• Advantage: Convenient; curated selection
• Disadvantage: Less authentic; middleman profit

Medina Souks (scattered workshops/shops):

• Experience: Explore labyrinthine streets, discover workshops
• Pros: Authentic, possible negotiation, direct purchase
• Cons: Time-consuming, potentially disorienting

Shopping Strategy and Negotiation

Finding Workshops

Strategy: Hire local guide (€20-30/day) to navigate medina OR: Ask hotel/riad owner (usually have local connections) OR: Explore medina yourself (wandering yields discoveries)

Best: Combination guide (2-3 hours) then independent exploration

Quality Assessment

Check Craftsmanship:

• Paint consistency (thin or thick?)
• Geometric patterns (clean lines or sloppy?)
• Glaze evenness (smooth or uneven?)
• Durability (listen to tap; clear ring = good firing)

Red Flags:

• Mass-produced appearance (identical pieces, perfect symmetry)
• Thick paint covering (hides poor craftsmanship)
• Cheap glaze (dull, chalky)
• Poor paint adherence (flakes easily)

Price Negotiation

Starting Price: Often 50-100% inflated (tourist expectation) Negotiation Strategy:

• Offer 40-60% asking price
• Go back-and-forth incrementally (5-10% decrements)
• Walk away (often best tactic; prices drop immediately)
• Bulk discounts (buy 5+ items; ask for reduction)

Direct Workshop: Less negotiation expected (artisans pride work); fair price usually quoted

Souks Shops: Negotiation more expected; expect 20-40% reduction possible

Bulk Purchase Discounts

5-10 items: 10-15% discount typical 20+ items: 20-30% discount possible Ask explicitly: "If I buy 10 items, best price?"

Shipping and Export

Feasibility

Risk: Pottery fragile; breakage possible shipping Options:

• Shipping service from shop (often available; expensive)
• Hand-carry (safest; luggage weight consideration)
• Bubble wrap heavily (DIY if not using service)

Hand-Carry Strategy

Luggage Space: Leave room for pottery Weight: Heavy (pottery dense); luggage limit consideration Packing: Bubble wrap, towel wrapping, cushioned placement Transport: Hand luggage possible (if not checked; fragility)

Shipping Costs (If Using Service)

International Shipping (to US/Europe):

• €50-150 depending size/insurance
• 3-4 weeks delivery typical
• Risk (breakage during shipping)

Recommendation: Hand-carry if possible; limit to 2-3 pieces if luggage space allows

Shopping Budget

Typical Shopper Budget: €50-150 (3-5 items, modest pieces) Serious Collector: €300-1000+ (multiple fine pieces, shipping)

Cultural Background: Fes Ceramics

Historical Significance

Medieval Tradition: Pottery guild organized since 14th century Techniques: Hand-thrown wheels (traditional), hand-painted designs Designs: Geometric patterns reflecting Islamic art (figural images taboo) Role: Essential household items (pre-industrial); now artisanal craft

Craft Apprenticeship

Training: 3-7 years typical (hands-on learning) Lineage: Often father-to-son tradition (family knowledge) Mastery: Few true masters remaining (young generation less interested) Threat: Modernization, cheap imports challenge traditional craft survival

Economic Reality

Income: Artisans modest earnings (labor-intensive) Competition: Mass-produced ceramics cheaper Tourism: Increasing tourists provide income (stable, but price pressure) Concern: Young people leaving craft; tradition at risk

Ethical Shopping

Supporting Artisans

Direct Purchase: Buy from workshop/artisan directly (eliminate middleman) Fair Price: Pay reasonable amount (cheap pottery often exploitative) Respect: Appreciate craft, ask permission photographs, honor tradition

Cooperatives: Support women artisans groups (fair wages, independence)

FAQ

Which pieces are functional vs display?

All can be display. Most plates/bowls functional (safe food). Tajines decorative often (many non-food-grade).

Can I bring pottery on airplane?

Hand luggage: Difficult (fragility, security). Checked luggage: Yes (wrap well, fragile sticker).

Is negotiating expected?

Yes in souks (part of tradition). Direct artisans: Less expected (set fair prices).

How do I know if authentic?

Hand-thrown shows imperfections (slight asymmetry, finger marks). Perfect symmetry = mass-produced.

Should I buy at Blue Gate or explore medina?

Both. Blue Gate convenient but pricey. Medina exploration finds genuine workshops, better prices (but time-intensive).

What if piece breaks during trip?

Risk accepted when buying fragile items. Pack carefully; check insurance (travel insurance sometimes covers).

Are tiles durable?

Yes, if properly fired. Historical Moroccan tiles centuries old. Modern tourist tiles: Check quality.

Can I commission custom pottery?

Possible through workshops. Lead time (2-4 weeks typical). Requires communication (language challenge).

How much should I pay fairly?

Workshop: Quote fair price (€30+ for quality plate). Negotiation: 30-40% reduction reasonable. Anything cheaper = questionable quality.

Do artisans accept credit cards?

Rarely. Cash (Dirhams) only typical. ATMs available throughout medina.