Ceramics · Safi, Fes

Couscous Platter (Gsaa)

Large, wide ceramic or wooden serving platter used for presenting couscous communally. Painted versions feature traditional Moroccan motifs.

History & Cultural Context

The gsaa is central to Moroccan family dining. Friday couscous is served on a large communal platter, and everyone eats from their section with their right hand. Ceramic gsaa from Safi are painted; wooden versions come from rural areas. A household's gsaa is often passed down through generations.

Materials

Ceramic clay (Safi)Wheel-thrown and painted pottery
Painted glazeTraditional blue, green, and yellow motifs

Production Techniques

Wide-form wheel throwingTraditional
Shaped on a wheel to achieve the wide, shallow platter form
Hand-paintingTraditional
Freehand traditional motifs applied before glaze firing

Production Notes

Ceramic: wheel-thrown from wide-form clay, painted, and glazed. Wooden: carved from a single piece of wood and polished. Ceramic versions are more common as souvenirs. Diameter: 30–60cm.

Quality Indicators

Quality

Sits flat without rockingEven glaze coverage on food-contact surfaces

Price Ranges

Budget40 – 120 MAD(~$4 – $12)

Small (30cm), simple painting

Mid-range120 – 350 MAD(~$12 – $35)

Medium (40–50cm), detailed traditional painting

Premium350 – 800 MAD(~$35 – $80)

Large (60cm), elaborate painting, matched with lid