Zllige Tiles - Authentic Moroccan Handmade Ceramic Tiles

What do you know about Zllige Tiles ?

Zellige is an ancient art form of mosaic tiles, crafted from hand-chiseled geometric ceramic pieces, carefully assembled into intricate plaster panels. This traditional Islamic art originated in Andalusia and the Maghreb region, becoming one of the most distinctive features of Moroccan architecture. Each piece is meticulously shaped and arranged to create stunning geometric patterns, adorning walls, ceilings, floors, windows, pools, and even tabletops. Made using time-honored techniques passed down through generations, Zellige embodies craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and timeless beauty, making it a sought-after choice for luxurious and artistic interior designs. Zellige art originated in the Moroccan city of Fez and developed in the Maghreb and Andalusia during the Middle Ages, particularly since the 11th century. It flourished during the rule of the Nasrids and the Marinids when Morocco and Spain were one state. The colors blue, green, and yellow were initially used, with red being introduced in the 17th century. Fez remains the center of this art, and it later spread to cities such as Meknes and Tlemcen.

The secret of the spread of zellige in all societies lies in the fact that the makers were able to adapt to the changes of the times and at the same time retain its character, whether in its industry or form, and due to its specificity, the zellige attracts the attention of plastic artists, architects and lovers of heritage and originality. The industry has witnessed a remarkable recovery in the recent period (twenty-first century) despite the high costs of creating zellige. The clay of the city of Fez, which is included in the composition of the zellige squares, is extracted in the form of blocks that are immersed in tanks called 'zouba' for a day and a night, after that the worker kneads it with his hand and foot at night and mixes it until it becomes smooth, then he fines it and cuts it and then stretches it in the sun, flattens it with a hammer and then smoothes, then on a wooden board that is divided with square sayings with a length of 10x10 cm to let it dry in the sun at a time that varies according to the weather, and when it dries it is introduced into the oven For the first time. After this stage, the façade of the square is quickly dipped in a mixture of paint before we enter it into the oven for the second time to get after the fire different colors: white – black – blue – green – yellow – brown... As the squares are burned, the paint we have painted, which consists of lead and sand, changes color to give a different color due to a special oxide. The mixture is lead + sand + oxide, which is ground and dissolved in water to immerse the squares accurately and skillfully before entering the oven for the second time, which reaches a temperature of 800 degrees, so that the color is fixed on the piece of zellige. This furnace is of a special character in that it is heated from below and the squares are placed for burning in a certain order. At the bottom we find colors that withstand great heat such as white squares and at the top we find squares that do not tolerate heat such as green, and we can also put in one oven squares of one color and this is what makes us not always give importance to the sensitivity of some colors to heat. Twenty-four hours we take the squares out of the oven and they are monitored and classified by colors.

Enhance Your Space with the Timeless Beauty of Zellige Tiles

Zellige tiles offer a unique way to add character and elegance to any space. Their handcrafted nature and rich textures make them a perfect choice for various applications in your home or business.