Dishes said to boats have been very present in the Mediterranean since antiquity and then in the Middle Ages. One of the oldest models dating from the 10th century was discovered in Bahnassa in Egypt, it is currently in the Cairo Museum (inv 7900).

The iconography of the dish that I am presenting to you is also completely similar to those in siliceous ceramic from Iznik. This city has used this decoration since the 16th century. We will also note Andalusian productions from the 14th and 15th centuries.

It would seem likely that an Ottoman ceramic painter came to settle in Fez in the 18th century, introducing this type of production.

This iconography can be considered particular in countries governed by the Sunni Islam movement which prohibits the representation of living things and beings. If this theme will nevertheless survive over time, it will continue to be accompanied by other more consistent decorations; interlacing, festoons, acanthus leaves, foliage, stylized Kufic letters etc.

The potters of Fez made their own coloring oxides and they jealously kept the secret. They used a maximum of five colors: blue, yellow, brown, green, all on a white enamel background. 

The proximity of Algeria and its conquest favored the arrival in France in the 19th century of this type of dish which was quickly highly sought after by collectors.

Earthenware terracotta dish, natural cooking defects (shrinkage), note a slight chip on the edge. Three traces of pernette on the bottom of the dish and under the heel (cooking stack). Cracking of the enamel due to time spent in vitrification. 18th century piece of very good quality.