Handicraft in Tunisia

Such as Morocco, Tunisia is characterized by a long tradition of decorative art, carpets and pottery colorful, finely wrought brass, heavy silver jewelry.

A saint, Sidi Kacem Ezzilizi, allegedly imported the ceramic art of Andalusia in the fifteenth century, and his tomb is in Tunis a small museum dedicated to the art. In the sixteenth century, the area ceramists and potters was close to Bab Souika in the Medina of Tunis. The Ottomans brought with them the stamp of their style which is admired by beautiful specimens in Dar Othman and mosques of the old town dating from the Ottoman era. In the nineteenth century, the Italianate style that was all the rage, as evidenced by the great houses such as the Palace of Dar Ben Abdallah Tunis.

The pottery was a craft that meet certain functional needs but over time, it is more than tourism demand, with as main Nabeul center, where there are grounds for Andalusian influence. Sejnane, north, produces a distinct Berber style, specializing in peasant figures.

The art of the carpet is very old in Tunisia, and the creations are of a rustic beauty, away from the rigor of Persian rugs. The carpets are divided into Allouche and zarbia. The first use of natural colors (beige, black and white) and simple patterns. The latter are very colorful. The carpets woven wool mergoum called, from the tradition of the Berber nomads, wear shades brighter still. Kairouan is the great capital of the Tunisian carpet.