Zellige tiles,What is?

The Zellige is a type of ornamental mosaic of Moroccan origin that is characterized by its unique design made up of colored tile tesserae and geometric shapes. This craft technique, which has its roots in the architecture and decoration of Morocco and North Africa, has been successfully adapted to modern times without losing its authenticity and cultural richness.

In addition to being a decorative element on walls and floors, Zellige tiles are also used to create fountains, tables and borders, where they add an exotic and rustic touch to any space. Its unique combination of shapes and colors is perfect for creating cozy environments with their own personality.

In short, Zellige is a versatile and high-quality material that can be used to give life to different projects and personalize any space with its traditional Moroccan artisan style. Discover the power of creativity with Zellige tiles!

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 History of Zellige

The art of Zellige, also known as glazed tiles, has a rich history dating back to the 10th and 14th centuries in Morocco. Probably influenced by Roman and Byzantine mosaics, zelliges developed under the Marinid dynasty and were widely used in Meknes. Over the centuries, new colors have been added, such as blue, green and yellow, and later red, but always maintaining their artisan technique and the use of natural dyes, especially in Fez.

Today, zelliges remain a popular element in Moroccan architecture and decoration, and have evolved to adapt to contemporary styles without losing their authenticity and artisan manufacturing process. They are an essential element in decorating walls, floors, ponds, fountains and tables, adding an exotic and sophisticated touch everywhere.

Next video can see how we produce our Zellige tiles

Produce the Zellige tile

Made with artisan skill and the highest quality materials, Zelliges and Bejmat are the fruit of an ancient tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. The clay is sourced from the Fez region and crushed, soaking it in ponds before being kneaded by hand to remove any impurities. The clay is made into a soft, moldable mass that is placed in molds and dried in the sun. After an initial drying, each piece is flattened and shaped by hand before being dipped in enamel and fired in a clay oven. The uneven distribution of heat in the oven results in the unique variation that characterizes Zelliges. This unvarying production process has endured for centuries, preserving the authenticity of this tile and combining it with technical innovations to create collections ranging from traditional to original designs.

The artisanal production process for Zellige is a tradition that goes back centuries, passed down from generation to generation. Using top quality materials and perfected techniques, clay from the Fez region is used to create the clay blocks which, after being crushed and soaked in ponds, are kneaded by hand to remove impurities. The resulting clay is made into a soft, malleable substance that is placed in molds and left to dry in the sun. After an initial drying, each piece is shaped and flattened by hand before being dipped in enamel and placed in a clay oven. The heat is distributed unevenly in the oven, giving each Zellige its unique variation.

Additionally, each Zellige piece is hand cut using a sharpened hammer called a "menqach" and beveled on the edges to give it shape and finish. These individualized steps mean no two pieces are exactly alike, making each Zellige unique with its own nuances of shape and finish. These subtle variations are what set Zelliges apart from uniform, mass-produced tiles, and that's why they're so appealing in interior décor. They provide a handmade and cozy touch, and play with light to combine perfectly with any material.

The Zellige today

How to get to today without losing all the artisan authenticity, since not changing anything in its manufacturing process, something unique that is worth prevailing among so much industrial process, an art in which designers, architects and designers have set themselves for their own creations. fans of decorating their homes with something unique, some tiles that, due to their manual production and their placement in the oven, where the heat is not evenly distributed, means that no tile is exactly the same as the other.As an architectural element, it has been able to adapt to contemporary decoration styles without losing its traditional way of manufacturing. The Zellige, with vibrant tones and small glazed shapes, are painstakingly hand-carved, one by one, by master craftsmen. These small works of art that require patience and dedication are the hallmarks of Mosques, Palaces and Riads. They transport us to the exuberant world of patios, gardens and fountains. Zellige tiles are the ideal choice for those looking for rich colours, reflections and wavy surfaces.

Where to buy the genuine Zellige?

Discover Zelliges tiles, the art of Moroccan tile, where tradition and craftsmanship merge to create unique and personalized products. Our workshop, located in the city of Fez in Morocco, has 20 years of experience in the manufacture of Moroccan Zellige and Bejmat tiles. Through the skill of our artisans, we turn these tiles into custom mosaics for walls, floors, tables and fountains, adapting them to the needs of our wide international clientele of designers, architects and developers. We are proud to continue the heritage of Moroccan craftsmanship, continually improving our production processes to ensure the highest quality of each of our unique pieces. If you want to know more about how we produce our Zellige tiles, do not hesitate to visit our blog, where we tell you all the details. Let us help you bring your decorating projects to life with our high-quality tiles!

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