North Africa, Morocco, Fez (Fes) region, ca. 19th century CE. This is a lovely traditional style of Moroccan pottery known as a mokhfia with the popular tronja motif across the interior basin in a colorful glazing. The dish has a tall ring foot that supports the flared walls and broad shoulder. The exterior of the rim and lip is decorated with a white ground glaze and wavy dark brown linear pattern, and the interior basin is almost completely covered with a geometric and vibrant pattern known as a tronja or turtle pattern that radiates from the central rosette with linear mesh forms and concentric circles, symmetrically arranged in 5 sections in cobalt, saffron yellow, teal, and dark brown. Mokhfias are used for serving couscous and are pierced through the foot for displaying on a wall when not in use, doubling as decorative artwork. Size: 9.75" Diameter x 4.65" H (24.8 cm x 11.8 cm)

For a similar example, please see the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number: M.2002.1.309

Provenance: ex-Ashland University Museum, Ashland, Ohio, USA, donated to Ashland University between July 1994 to December 1998

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#169005

Repaired from approximately 3 pieces, with old repairs using 4 iron wires / staples to hold the pieces together. Stable fissures and break lines radiating from the foot to rim. Chips and losses along break lines and a chip on the rim. Surface abrasions and pitting from glazing imperfections. Colors and pattern are well preserved.