Shop in Sidi Ghanem, the Marrakech Industrial Zone and Urban, Artist Enclave. Located 5 kilometers…
Tag: Berber Silver
Morocco is known for its artisans and the art of the jeweler or silversmith is one of many crafts practiced today. During your trip to Morocco you can watch artisans at work, marvel at the workmanship and detail of pieces in the jewelry souks and even negotiate the purchase of a unique piece. Many items of jewelry are appealing for their aesthetic value, but all pieces – whether new fabrications or antique treasures – draw on a fascinating history and symbolism.
In the nineteenth century Morocco began to receive European and American visitors who were also visiting neighboring Algeria,Tunisia and Libya. Early photographers like the Scotsman George Washington Wilson and others began to take photographs of the countryside, towns and people including posed photographs of Berber women adorned in their fine Moroccan jewelry. These photos became the first travel postcards and help to encourage early tourism and an appreciation of North African jewelry.
Morocco has an ancient tradition of jewelry craftsmanship which continues today. Morocco’s Jewish population grew over many centuries and they were the artisans who created the jewelry as the muslims for religious reasons would not work with silver and gold.The jews and the berbers intermarried and there were a number of jewish berber tribes.
Bead Your Way Through Morocco, Travel Exploration’s Moroccan Jewelry & Bead Treasure Hunting Tour presents it’s Spring, April 2011 Morocco travel itinerary that will take place from April 4th, – 18th, 2011. Bead Your Way Through Morocco will take Moroccan antique and trade bead enthusiasts along with Moroccan jewelry collectors through a variety of Southern Moroccan cities, Saharan Desert Towns, the Seaside city of Essaouira and the Imperial city of Marrakech.