Meknes is also the only place in Morocco where you can find the decorative form of metal work known as damascene. The labour-intensive process involves etching geometric or arabesque designs into dishes, pots and decorative objects before beating in delicate silver thread with a tiny hammer. Items are then placed in a furnace to melt the threads.

Once cooled they are polished to remove any unevenness and sometimes rubbed with lemon juice to create a shine. Damascene’s origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is thought the technique may have been brought to Morocco by Jewish artisans expelled from Spain in the 14th century.

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