Arts and Crafts of Morocco (Arts & Crafts) - Softcover

Jereb, James F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 050027830X ISBN 13: 9780500278307

Publisher: Thames & Hudson, 2015

Synopsis

Reveals the dazzling fusion of cultural influences in Moroccan arts and crafts

Its unique geographical location established Morocco as a center of cultural exchange, and its remarkable arts and crafts are the product of a centuries-long intermingling of influences from other parts of Africa and the traditions of Islam and from the singular cultural alliance of the Moors and the Spaniards. Superbly illustrated with more than 150 specially commissioned color photographs, Arts and Crafts of Morocco illuminates the wonders of this thriving tradition.

Dr. James F. Jereb’s pioneering account, based on his own first hand research, examines an extensive range of media: vibrantly colored textiles; jewelry in a range of exquisite configurations; original leather, wood, and metalwork; and an enormous variety of pottery and ceramics. These marvelous objects derive either from a rural lifestyle, with symbols and patterns that reflect the powerful animistic beliefs of the Berber country artisans, or from the cities, where Islamic tenets compose the cultural foundation. All of these works are thus endowed with a spiritually charged significance that determines their functions and ensures their remarkable beauty.

This in-depth study is made complete with guidance on Moroccan arts and crafts from expert collectors and a revealing analysis of the belief systems, festivals, and ceremonies that inform the predominant techniques and visual motifs of Moroccan art. 200 illustrations, 151 in color

About this title

From the Back Cover

The spectacular arts and crafts of Morocco reflect a timeless mingling of influences from Moorish Spain, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East - all the exotic worlds that once congregated at this crossroads of ancient trading routes. Striking in its versatility and diversity, Moroccan art has long influenced artists, architects, and designers. This volume, superbly illustrated with more than 150 original color photographs, brings the dazzling splendor of a thriving artisan tradition to a wider and increasingly appreciative international audience. Vibrantly colored textiles; exquisitely crafted jewelry: finely worked leather, wood, metal; and an enormous collection of pottery and ceramics are all gathered together in this engaging guide by a leading Morroco scholar. These marvelous objects are inspired in form and content by the tribal lifestyle and powerful animistic beliefs of the nomadic artisans, as well as by the compelling aesthetic traditions of the Moslem world, giving each item's utility and remarkable beauty a spiritual resonance. With a lively text describing traditional artistic forms and techniques, and a comprehensive analysis of the belief systems, festivals, and ceremonies to which the arts are linked, Arts and Crafts of Morocco will prove irresistible not only to those intrigued by this fascinating land, but also to collectors, designers, and anyone in search of original decorative ideas.

About the Author

Visual artist Dr. James F. Jereb has devoted many years to the study of Morocco and its traditional arts. He is the creator of Stardreaming, Temples of the Cosmos, a 22-acre sacred stone temple labyrinth complex in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 050027830X
• ISBN 13: 9780500278307
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160