Zellige

Moroccan Art

Zellige is the art of mosaics and tilework, made with terra cotta tiles covered with enamel. It is one of the key features of the Moroccan architecture, used to decorate walls, ceilings, floors, furniture and even outdoors in pools and fountains. As well as being a striking and decorative design feature they are hardwearing and easy to clean.

Fes and Meknes are the centers of this artform, where for centuries skills have been passed on from generation to generation by master craftsmen, known as maâlems.

Zellige patterns are colourful geometric shapes, examples can be traced back to the tenth century, and can be found throughout Morocco.