The Secret of Tamegroute: Morocco’s Ancient Green Glaze

Tamegroute isn’t just a place — it’s a legacy. Tucked into Morocco’s Draa River Valley, this desert village is the home of a rare kind of ceramic tradition, one that’s been passed down through generations of artisans. The pottery is instantly recognizable by its deep, mossy green glaze, pooled and uneven, like something the earth dreamt up on its own.

The origin of the green lies in a secret formula — a mix of local clay, glaze enriched with copper oxide, and a wood-fired kiln that’s built directly into the ground. The firing process is unpredictable by design. Flames lick at the clay from all angles, and subtle shifts in heat, placement, and atmosphere leave their mark. What emerges are pots with rich tonal variation: some dripping with jade-like sheen, others dulled by smoke and ash.

Every piece is unique — shaped by hand, fired without exact control, and finished with a spirit of patience. They bear imperfections proudly: cracks in the glaze, drips along the lip, flecks of earthen red where the green recedes. In Tamegroute, imperfection is not just accepted, it’s revered.

The tradition is centuries old, said to have started with religious scholars who believed in work as a form of devotion. Today, a handful of families continue the practice, shaping pots that carry the quiet wisdom of the desert with them.

At Mararamiro, we carry a selection of Tamegroute pieces — bowls, vessels, and candlesticks, each one chosen for its character and form. They bring a certain weight to a room — not just physically, but emotionally. They remind us that handmade things carry more than function. They carry memory.