Vintage Moroccan Berber Hand-Painted Red Hide & Iron Wall Sconce Shade, 1980s

Details

Description

A striking vintage Moroccan Berber wall sconce shade, handcrafted in Marrakech, Morocco, circa 1980. This sculptural wall light cover combines … Read more A striking vintage Moroccan Berber wall sconce shade, handcrafted in Marrakech, Morocco, circa 1980. This sculptural wall light cover combines a hand-forged iron framework with stretched natural hide parchment, individually hand-painted in rich red, ochre and yellow tones.

The elongated diamond-shaped silhouette is particularly graphic, with a dark iron perimeter and central spine emphasizing the architectural geometry of the piece. The parchment surface is decorated with stylized geometric and linear motifs inspired by the visual vocabulary of traditional Moroccan Berber art, including designs associated with North African textiles, body ornament and henna decoration.

The predominantly deep red surface with warm yellow and ochre details gives this example a particularly dramatic presence. Because the hide is naturally translucent, it can produce a warm, softly diffused glow when installed over an appropriate wall-mounted light source, bringing additional depth and richness to the hand-painted decoration.

The shade is constructed as a decorative cover and contains no electrical components or wiring. It is intended to be positioned over an existing wall light fitting. Alternatively, its strong sculptural silhouette makes it equally compelling displayed without illumination as a piece of Moroccan wall art.

Handmade construction and individually painted decoration mean that no two examples are exactly alike. Two similar shades in the same general shape and color palette are also available, each featuring a different hand-painted design. They can be displayed individually or arranged as a coordinated group along a hallway, staircase, entry, bedroom or other architectural space.

The combination of aged hide, hand-painted decoration and dark iron gives the piece an authentic artisanal quality particularly suited to Moroccan, Moorish, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, bohemian and globally collected interiors. Its abstract geometry can also provide an unexpected counterpoint within a restrained contemporary setting.

Handcrafted in Marrakech, Morocco, by Moroccan artisans, circa 1980.

Dimensions: 17.25 in. H × 10.5 in. W × 5 in. D.

Condition: Good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. Natural variations, irregularities and signs of hand-craftsmanship are present in the hide and painted surface and contribute to the character of the piece.

Creator: Berber Tribes of Morocco — Artist/Attribution
Origin: Morocco
Date of Manufacture: Circa 1980
Period: Late 20th Century
Style: Moorish / Moroccan Folk Art
Materials: Hide, parchment, iron
Techniques: Hand-painted, hand-crafted
Category: Lighting → Sconces / Wall Lights
Electrical: No electrical components; shade/cover only
Quantity: 2 related examples total — this example plus 2 similar examples with different hand-painted designs, show in a picture together in the listings.
Condition: Good; wear consistent with age and use

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