Zellige Mosaic From Morocco

Zellige is a type of tile, but above all, don’t see it as just another ceramic assembly like so many others already exist. Rustic, shiny, and with a raw side that doesn’t say its name, just one look at the rendering of this covering is enough to convince the most skeptical of its charm.

Traditional and unique tiling

The word “zellige” comes from the Arabic word al-zulayj’ which means “earthenware tile” in French. It originated in Morocco and although we do not know precisely when it saw the light of day (some historians say the 10th century, others the 9th), we estimate that it only really began to flourish in the 14th century. However, experts agree that the design of this very particular tiling is surely inspired by Byzantine and Roman mosaics to which know-how from Iraq would have been added. In any case, its practice was adopted throughout the Maghreb and as far as Andalusia, radiating from Fez which is still considered its cradle today.

Concretely, zellige is a mosaic of small enameled clay tiles called “tesserae”. Talking about “tiles” here is an abuse of language since the tesserae are not necessarily square. Some are rectangular, others round, half-moons, scales, etc. Their shape depends on the more or less complicated mosaics that we want to form with them.

Traditionally, the arabesques formed by the tesserae form a message governed by a complex code. However, this is an art that is being lost and that only master craftsmen know.

The Zellige manufacturing process

Making authentic tesserae is an artisanal job that requires expertise and patience. The know-how varies a lot depending on the region and even the country, but in general, it has 5 main stages:

• Preparation of the clay: the clay blocks are crushed and moistened in basins of water. Once softened, the clay is kneaded before being spread out to dry in the sun.
• First firing in the oven: the clay is molded into tiles two centimeters thick with a side of around ten centimeters. Subsequently, the pieces are put in the oven at 1,000°C for an initial firing.
• Second firing for glazing: this is an important step to give impermeability, durability, and above all shine to the clay tiles. Enamels are sprinkled on the tiles before putting them back in the oven at 800°C. It is also at this stage, by adding products, that we obtain the colors (manganese for the entire range from purple to black; limonite for yellow; smalt for blue, etc.). Finally, it is also during this second firing that variations in color tones appear, depending on where the tiles were placed in the oven.
• Cutting of the tiles: the tiles are cut into tiles of appropriate dimensions. This step is reserved for expert craftsmen who will cut the tiles by hand and with millimeter precision using a special hammer.
• Beveling the tesserae: as the tesserae are intended to form a mosaic by placing them edge to edge, it is necessary to bevel them.

These ways of doing things make each tessera almost unique. Each has approximate dimensions that distinguish it from the others, as well as shades of color that are specific to it, and even an appearance with more or less marked differences from its peers. This particularity gives the zellige an irregular relief, almost wobbly, but oh so endearing. A kind of naive, crude, but controlled amateurism that contrasts sharply with the quality of the finishes of each tile as well as with the sumptuous iridescence of the final rendering of the mosaic.

Zellige for which room in the house?

You will have understood, that zellige, especially if it is authentic, is very beautiful. It is therefore possible to put it anywhere, wherever the heart tells us: magnificent geometric patterns on the wall of a veranda; an iridescent splashback in the kitchen; a mosaic patchwork on a bedroom wall, behind the headboard; or even mallard green tiles on the floor of a bathroom. Because yes, on walls as well as on floors, and even on worktops, zellige adapts to practically all supports!

However, it is in a bathroom that Zellige will reveal itself the most. Especially since it is water resistant, it will not be in the least offended by being placed in this damp room, like tadelakt with which it goes very well. Zellige is also resistant to heat (hence its use in cooking), shocks, scratches, and stains.

In short, it is a covering of all superlatives, something unfortunately also true when it comes to its price: between 100 and 300 euros per square meter on average (depending on its quality and the fact that the zellige is pre-assembled or not), a cost to which must still be added that of its installation. Fortunately for those wishing to benefit from the fantastic rendering of Zellige without putting a significant budget into it, there are “Zellige effect” tiles on the market for a price of 2 to 5 times lower. On the other hand, you should not expect the same solidity.

Some tips for maintaining zellige

Zellige does not need specific maintenance to last. As long as it has been manufactured according to the rules of the art, its appearance will last very well over time and will even resist bad weather. Proof of this is the various creations dotting Morocco which still shine today with their elegance: the patio of the Madrasa el-Attarine in Fez (14th century), that of Madrasa Ben Youssef in Marrakech (14th century), or even the Nejjarine fountain of Fez (17th century). In reality, the only weak point of zellige is not the tesserae themselves, but rather the very fine joints that separate them. Over time, these flake or become porous and allow water and humidity to enter. All you have to do is repair them or, if necessary, redo them to resolve the problem.

To clean your zelliges, there is nothing simpler: simply pour a tablespoon of Marseille soap into a small bucket of hot water and pass the mixture over the tiles using a sponge after having lathered it well. From time to time, replace the soap with a mixture of baking soda and a little white vinegar. Finally, don’t forget to rinse the tiles with clean water after each wash.