Nicholas Martino and his father, Mario, have been importing ceramics, glassware, ironware, antiques and furniture from North Africa and the Middle East for the last 20 years. Don visited their showroom in Mortdale, and talked to Nic about using Moroccan artefacts in and around the home to create colourful and unusual effects. These pieces are made in a style that dates from around the 15th century, when artisans fled Spain and settled in Morocco.

Moroccan pottery

For the Moroccans and the Berbers, applying water and fire to clay symbolises the divine art of creation. This is reflected in their handmade pottery, which they decorate with Islamic patterns in vibrant cobalt blue and yellow colours and finish with their own unique markings and trimmings.

Berber pottery has a charming simplicity, while Islamic ceramics are finer and more intricate in pattern, colour, design and production. Fez, the oldest city in Morocco, is the traditional centre of ceramics and the intellectual capital of Islam. Fez is famous for its blue pottery, known as 'Bleu de Fez' or 'Fakhari'. In Safi, an important modern ceramic centre, ancient methods are used to produce modern polychrome pottery with a distinct metallic glaze and 'Moroccan Silver' decorations.

Mosaic tables

The handmade Moroccan mosaic tables shown in our segment would look wonderful in a courtyard, on a patio or in the garden. They are intricately patterned and come in four main colours: blue, green, pink and aqua. The range includes round and rectangular tables with forged or tubular steel legs. The tabletops can also be purchased separately.

Further information

Nicholas Agency & Co Pty Ltd
10 Barry Avenue
Mortdale NSW 2223
Phone: (02) 9579 2200
Fax: (02) 9579 2100
Email: nicholasagency@ihug.com.au

Prices for items in our segment:

Regal collection (black and white), $75-$195
Plain colours with silver borders, $50-$110
Artefacts from Fez, $20-195
Lanterns, $29-140
Circular tables, $1000-$3,500
Rectangular tables, $2700 (180x90) and $2000 (150x80). They are only available with forged steel legs.
Contact the Nicholas Agency for your closest stockist.

Copyright CTC Productions 2002