Moroccan Cactus Silk, Found in Fes

There is something inherently beautiful about a tassel. It moves, catches light, softens a room, and adds a small moment of ornament where you least expect it.

Our Moroccan cactus silk tassels began with a discovery in the winding streets of the Medina of Fes—a place where craftsmanship is still part of everyday life. We found them tucked inside a small shop in the ancient medina, and immediately loved the combination of their luminous cactus silk, natural color, and hand-forged metalwork.

The Medina of Fes, founded in the 9th century and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, is one of the best-preserved historic towns. Its traditional crafts and skills remain an important part of its living cultural heritage. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)

There is something fitting about finding a textile object in Fez. For centuries, the city has been one of Morocco's great centers of weaving and textile craftsmanship. The details that finish a textile—braids, cords, buttons, embroidery and tassels—are not afterthoughts, but part of the craft tradition itself.

From Plant Fiber to Silk-Like Thread

Known in Morocco as sabra, cactus silk is a plant-based textile prized for its distinctive sheen and beautiful, slightly irregular character. Traditionally, the fiber is extracted from plant leaves, cleaned and separated, then dried and spun into thread. The resulting fiber has a natural luster that gives the finished textile its almost silk-like appearance. 

The threads are then colored before being woven, traditionally using dyes derived from natural sources such as plants, roots, minerals and other locally available materials. Natural dyeing gives the colors their depth and subtle variation rather than the uniformity of a manufactured textile.

That variation is part of what makes cactus silk so special. No two pieces have quite the same texture, movement, or tonal character.

The Tassel, Reimagined

Tassels have long been part of Moroccan textile traditions. They appear as decorative finishes on woven textiles and garments, including traditional cords and sashes; historic Moroccan sashes, for example, were finished with braided tassels.

What began as an ornamental detail has an entirely new life in the home.

We love these tassels for their ability to transform something ordinary into something considered:

Curtains — tied back to frame a window or doorway.

Wall art — gathered together or hung individually as sculptural textile objects.

Door hangings — a beautiful, unexpected detail at an entryway, closet, or interior door.

Cabinet & drawer pulls — a simple way to bring texture and craftsmanship to furniture.

Decorative accents — draped over a hook, basket, bedpost, or piece of furniture.

Each One, Chosen by Hand

We don't buy these as a uniform collection.

While they are not one-of-a-kind, each tassel is individually selected for its particular combination of color, texture, proportion, and hardware. The metal elements are hand forged, giving each piece its own subtle character and variation.

It is these small differences—the irregular thread, the natural variation in color, the hand-forged metal—that remind you that you're holding something made by people, not machines.

Found in Fez. Made by hand. Selected by us for you.