Sourcing Tamegroute

It’s always a pleasure to visit the makers I have met along my shop’s journey. Every time I am in Marrakech I meet up with Abdelkarim and inevitably end up bringing more of his wonderful Tamegroute pottery back. His shop is a showcase for all of the work created by the potters back in his hometown the pottery is named after, Tamegroute. Situated in the South of the country, each piece is shipped to the main store in the old Medina where it is showcased to passers-by in the open space. The distinctive green pottery is unique to the village, each is made by hand with the texture to prove it. If you have been to the Medina in Marrakech you may have seen it on display for even visited Abdelkarims shop.

The shop is a treasure trove of objects for the home and kitchen. Beautifully wonky candlesticks with a pleasingly glossy green glaze, side tables clad in small tiles. The walls a full of large plates, some of them detailed with brass edges. It’ssuch an inspiring place to be. I imagine most online shop owners dream of having a physical shop, if I have a shop one day, I would want it to be drenched in colour like this. 

I’m always drawn to tableware. I think the dining table is an easy place to bring in unique objects. People are drawn to matching dining sets, it’s probably a bit of hangover from the “best china” a lot of households had, kept locked away in cabinets only brought out on special occasions. I don’t subscribe to that, every dinner is a special occasion, time spent with family or friends should be celebrated, it should be a riot of colour and good food.

If you are looking to start a collection of handmade or more unique pieces, start off with a fruit bowl, centrepiece or a vase. These are standout pieces that can be used as a landmark to your table, something which you can build a new collection around.

A piece that you have picked up travelling is great place to start especially if it’s something that’s different to what you’ll find in most UK shops. It’ll drive conversation about where you picked up and can even inspire people to think about travelling there themselves. Something that I notice from my travels around Africa in particular is how much colour is present. Table are filled with food made to be tasty not just pretty, this abundance means that lots of vessels will fill the table too.

I’m a big fan of using tableware ad decor throughout your home. They don’t have to be used just for food. Plates are great to hold and display jewellery for example. The rich green looks beautiful against metals. A piece of Tamegroute on a coffee table breaks up the uniformity and neatness of typical ceramics. 

Most importantly Tamegroute production is an age old industry and skill that we as consumers can help to invest in and keep going.