Plants and flowers in the Middle East and North Africa were valued both for their practical uses and their aesthetic appeal. As essential sources of sustenance, plants provided food, medicine, dyes, and spices that supported daily life. Grains, legumes, fruits, herbs, and oil-producing crops like olives and sesame were cultivated and traded across vast networks, linking households to broader regional and international economies.
At the same time, plants and flowers inspired artistic expression and visual culture. Their forms appeared in ceramics, textiles, architectural decoration, and everyday objects—bringing the natural world into domestic and public spaces. Floral motifs, especially prominent in Islamic art, often conveyed ideals of harmony and renewal.
The objects in this case reflect the practical and aesthetic value of plants. Seeds and vegetal remains offer insight into cultivation, diet, and trade, while tiles adorned with flowers show how plants were celebrated and reimagined through design. Oil played an especially important role, as it was used in cooking, lighting, body care, and sometimes craft production. Its storage and transport required specially made containers, some of which—like the one here—reflect both utility and style.
