Brass, Rattan and Palm: A Guide to Moroccan Lighting

Moroccan lighting is about atmosphere. A pierced brass lamp throws patterns across the walls, a woven rattan shade gives a soft, warm glow, and a palm fringe lamp brings a relaxed, sun-bleached feel to a room. Here is a guide to the main materials and how to use them at home.

Brass: hammered and hand-pierced

Brass is the classic material of Moroccan metalwork. Two techniques give it its character:

• Hammering: the metal is shaped and textured with a hammer, leaving small facets that catch and reflect the light. Our brass leaf pendant uses this technique for a statement piece over a dining table.
• Piercing: tiny holes are punched by hand into the brass in geometric or floral patterns. When the lamp is on, those patterns appear on the walls and ceiling, as with our hand-pierced brass egg lamp.

Brass develops a warm patina over time. If you prefer it bright, polish it occasionally with a soft cloth and a little brass cleaner.

Rattan and palm: natural and soft

Woven rattan and palm leaf diffuse the light rather than patterning it. They suit bedrooms, reading corners and boho or coastal interiors, and they pair beautifully with wood, linen and kilims. Our tiered rattan wall sconce is a good example.

Choosing the right lamp for each room

• Dining room and kitchen: a brass pendant hung 70 to 80 cm above the table becomes the centrepiece of the room.
• Living room: layer a pendant with one or two table lamps so the room glows from several heights.
• Bedroom: wall sconces free up bedside space and give a soft, low light for reading.
• Hallway and entrance: a pierced lamp makes a striking first impression.
• Hotels and cafés: repeating the same pendant over a row of tables creates rhythm and a strong identity.

Bulbs and safety

Choose warm white LED bulbs (around 2700K) to bring out the glow of brass and natural fibres; they also stay cool, which is important inside woven shades. Always have pendants and wall lights installed by a qualified electrician, following the rules in your country.

Explore the collection: browse all our handmade Moroccan lamps and pendants, shipped worldwide from Marrakech.