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Rif Amazigh Two-Handled Jar - Mid-Century Moroccan Primitive Berber Pottery

1st Dibs

$1,250

An authentic mid-20th-century ceramic vessel originating from the Rif Mountains of Northern Morocco. Hand-built by Amazigh (Berber) women using the ancestral coiling method, this storage jar (qudra) features a robust, wide-bellied form punctuated by two sturdy, functional looped handles.The exterior is decorated with striking, hand-painted geometric registers in traditional mineral slips. The central band features a bold "saw-tooth" or chevron motif in manganese-black, a classic Rifian symbol representing the rugged topography of the North African coast and the protective "teeth" of the household. The deliberate "dotted" bordering—a hallmark of the Beni Said and Beni Zeroual tribes—creates a sophisticated contrast against the warm, honey-toned clay ground, highlighting the graphic modernism inherent in these rural tribal objects.With its wide aperture and substantial silhouette, this jar serves as a powerful sculptural element, ideal for grounding a tabletop or as a focal point in a Wabi-Sabi or primitive-modern interior.Origin: Rif Mountains, Northern MoroccoCulture: Amazigh (Berber) / RifianDate: Mid-20th Century Material: Hand-Painted Earthenware / Manganese SlipCondition Report: The vessel exhibits "spalling" (minor pitting) across the body, a result of the unrefined minerals in the clay reacting to the traditional open-air pit firing process.The black manganese motifs show significant "ghosting" and softening, particularly around the handles and rim, where handling was most frequent.Localized surface abrasions and small glaze/slip losses are present, adding to the wabi-sabi appeal and confirming its status as a functional household heirloom.The vessel is structurally sound with no through-cracks or previous restorations noted. The base is stable with expected earthen encrustation.Curated by Mādda.

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HomeDecorative jarRif Amazigh Two-Handled Jar - Mid-Century Moroccan Primitive Berber Pottery