The damasquinurie

The Damascening is an artisanal technique which consists enchasing a wire of gold, silver or copper, on a metal surface, generally out of steel, in order to create a decorative motif. The result of this incrustation is called a damasquinure.
This technique, very popular in Morocco, specially in  Meknès. It is used for the decoration of the brackets and swords  but also to decorate the dishes, the vases and the jewelry.
This art of the incrustation is today a know-how in danger and Meknès is one of the last cities in the world where there is still some rare Master-craftsmen (maalems) who practice this profession.

Familly ESSAIDI

Custodian of this expertise, essaidi family excels in the creation and production of inlaid work, for several generations .As evidenced  by the awards  won by the family in national and international exhibitions.

The posterity of Andalusian arts was ensured in Morocco, not only by the trade relations, but mostly by the incessant flow
, since the 14th century,in Morocco by the Muslims and the Jews of Andalusia who come to take refuge there, under the growing threat of the Christians. These craftsmen have played a major role in the transmission and the perpetuity of the damasquinerie from one continent  to the other, a role that is currently still continuing in Meknes. . This art of inlay of  metal in another , blossomed especially in Meknes where there are dozens of craftsmen.Meknes is  one of the few cities in the world where this craft tend to continue. . . At the end of the nineteenth century,the Museum of Dar Jamaï in Meknes housed a school to learn this art, and it’s  where we can contemplate damascinus objects of that period.

Today, damascening is an art that is acceptable and appreciated by the Moroccans. This delicate art is used in the decoration of spurs, calipers guards swords and also for the manufacturing of vases, of plate, bracelets, rings…