The Moroccan Collection

Taj / Crown from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Taj / Crown 19th century
Medium; Gold, Gems
Dimensions: H 15 cm; weight 300 gr
Permanent Collection: Rabat; Oudaia Museum, Rabat
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Morocco: Melting Pot of Cultures
Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Dec 17 2004 - April 17, 2005

Through the collaborative efforts of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture many of the finest museums of the country participated in bringing some of the finest antiquities to Holland.

Morocco is located in the north west part of Africa. Its coastal location and proximity to European and other early travelers brought a multitude of cultural influences on the country and that is very much reflected in this exhibit.

The exhibition is divided into three key sections: Morocco before Islam; Finest Examples of Decorative Art; and Morocco and the World.

Morocco Before Islam

Bust of Juba II from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Bust of Juba II, c. 25 BC
Dimensions: H 47 cm; L 32 cm
Permanent Collection: Volubilis; Archaeological Museum, Rabat
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Greek mythology casts Morocco as the location where Hercules stole the golden apples for his eleventh labor. It wasn't an easy accomplishment. The Apples of the Hesperides were a wedding gift to Zeus from Hera. All Hercules knew was that they would be located at the garden at the northern edge of the world. Thanks to his freeing Prometheus from his terrible punishment of having an eagle devour his liver on a daily basis, Hercules was able to learn the secret location from a grateful Prometheus and furthermore how to successfully complete his penultimate task.

Bronze Head of a Mule from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk

Title: Head of a mule, Rome (?), Augustan period (?)
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H 20.3 cm; L 19.5 cm; W 9 cm
Permanent Collection: Volubilis; Archaeological Museum, Rabat
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Morocco's prime location bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea brought Phoenicians and later Carthaginians who looked for trade. After the Carthage empire fell the Romans took over the government of Morocco.

It is here the exhibition has some of its earliest objects. Juba II was among the members of the Royal family who were taken to Rome in 46 BC. Raised at the court of Augustus he was eventually returned to Morocco as the King and would subsequently marry the daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. One of the numerous highlights of Morocco: Melting Pot of Cultures is the Bronze portrait of Juba II. Within this portion are incredible pieces of Roman influenced jewelry and mosaics.

Islam

Minbar
Title: Minbar (pulpit from Medersa Abû Inanya), c. 1350
Medium: Cedar inlaid with Decorative Woods, Bone, Ivory, Gold Dimensions: H 3 m; W 3 m; H arch 2.45 m
Permanent Collection: Medersa Abû Inanya, Fès; El Batha Museum, Fès
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

It was after the fall of the Roman Empire that Islam became an influence upon Morocco that lasts to present time. One of the largest mosques in the world is found at Casablanca.

The exhibit proudly includes the Minbar, from Medera Abú Inanya, which is a pulpit where the Iman would develop his sermon. This minbar is a heralded treasure from Fès.

Jewelry silver and leather earrings, head ornaments, pendant box, necklace, fibulae all from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Jewellery / Jewelry, 19th century
Head ornaments (silver, leather)
Earrings (silver, enamel, coral)
Tikharsin / earrings (silver, enamel)
Pendant box (silver)
Necklace (silver, amber, coral)
Fibulae (silver, enamel, glass paste)
Permanent Collection: Dar si Said Museum, Marrakech
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Of particular note is the master craftsmanship of the Moroccan artisans that were heavily influenced by the Islamic culture in decorative and wearable objects. One portion of the exhibit is devoted to the elaborate costumes of the Moroccans.>

Fes Costume from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Fès Costume:
Kaftan from Fez; Hzàm (Belt); Tchamir (Slippers); Charbil (Slippers); Early 20th Century;
Medium Fabric (Ben Sherif), Goldthread, Silk Thread, Imitation Gems, Cotton, Leather, Silver Thread;
Dimensions: L 1.41 m; W 98 cm; sleeve L 53 cm; W 49 cm;
Permanent Collection: Fès; Oudaia Museum, Rabat
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Morocco After Islam

Cloth
Title: Mendil / Cloth 19th-20th century
Medium: Cotton, Silk Thread, Goldthread
Dimensions: 1.05 x 1.05 m
Permanent Collection: Rabat; Oudaia Museum, Rabat
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Muslims, Jews and Christians co-exist and the influences each culture brings upon the countries antiquities is a focal part of Morocco: Melting Pot of Cultures.

Jewelry from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Jewellery / Jewelry,
19th-20th century: Headband (silver)
Earrings (silver, coral, amber)
Pair of hair pendants (silver, amber, coral)
Khamsa / Hand Amulet (silver)
Necklace (silver, amber, coral, shells)
Pair of fibulae (silver)
Pair of arm bands (silver)
Permanent Collection: Dar si Said Museum, Marrakech
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

The organization of Morocco: Melting Pot of Cultures brings together 300 objects thanks to the efforts of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture which provided for the participation of museums from Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Tétouan, Fès, Meknès, Larache, Laâyoune, and Essaouira along with artifacts from the Volubilis excavation and the Royal and National Libraries.

Soup Tureen from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Jobba (soup terrine) / Soup Tureen late 19th century
Medium: Ceramic
Dimensions:; H 43.5 cm; Ø 37 cm
Permanent Collection: Fès; El Batha Museum, Fès
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Royal Connections

Lute from Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures at de Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
Title: Lud / Lute 20th century
Medium: Wood, Bone, Ivory, Nylon Thread
Dimension: L 75 cm; W 38 cm
Permanent Collection: Essaouira; Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum, Essaouira
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

Morocco Melting Pot of Cultures is honored to have as patrons for the exhibition His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange.

Pendant
Title: Tajra / Pendant, 19th century
Medium: Gilt Silver, Stone, Enamel
Dimensions: Ø 6.5 cm
Permanent Collection: Meknès; Dar Jamai Museum, Meknès
Image Courtesy: De Nieuwe Kerk

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