Mediterranean Marvels
Spain and Morocco share credit for popularizing handcrafted zellige tile, but the Moroccan cities of Fes and Meknes are known as the centers for zellige. The creation of zellige is a Moorish art, meaning it was created by the Muslim inhabitants of North Africa and the Mediterranean. If you’ve ever been to Spain, Malta, or Sicily, you’ve probably seen the iconic Islamic art and architecture.
Spanish Flair
There’s a reason why southern Spain looks drastically different than the north and that’s because of the Moroccan Moorish influence. What does this mean for zellige? Well, it gained popularity in an era called the Hispano-Moresque period between 711 and 1492. You read that correctly, the zellige tile we sell today has been around since the FIRST century. Part of the reason we fell in love with zellige tiles is because of their rich history.
Fancy Schmancy
When it first became popular,
Moroccan tile work wasn’t available to just anybody. Zellige mosaics were commissioned by wealthy families during the Nasrid dynasty, Merinid dynasty and Zayyanid dynasty. Today, zellige tile is much more accessible to the average homeowner.
Shades of Cool
Looking at stunning zellige designs from the past makes us wish we were alive to see them in their original glory, but the good news is zellige tiles look pretty much the same as they did back then! Plus, another benefit to being a contemporary admirer is that Moroccan zellige tiles come in wayyyyy more colors than they used to. They were totally plain until the 14
th century when blue, yellow, and green glazes became popular. The iconic Moroccan red wasn’t even introduced until the 17
th century. Today, we offer Moroccan tiles in dozens of vivid shades. So you get the cultural history of the past and the variety of the present. It’s the best of both worlds!
Vivid AND Versatile
Moroccan tiles are typically pretty small, and that’s because they were originally used to create intricate mosaics and designs. Today, you can use them pretty much anywhere! Cover your kitchen floor with an ombré of blue shades from
Moroccan Blue to
Glacier. Make your backsplash the focus of the room with a
Cadmium yellow or
Cayenne red. Although Moroccan zellige tiles are traditional materials, your interior doesn’t have to be. There are endless ways to make these handmade works of art work for you. Get creative and let us help bring your dream to life.
Art for All
The method of creating Moroccan zellige tiles is recognized as a national art form and each artist must attend a special school for artisans in order to perfect their craft. When you choose Moroccan zellige, you’re supporting a cultural heritage and disciplined art form. The tile-makers take pride in their work and they are passionate about making the very highest quality tiles. No two tiles are exactly alike, and we think that’s what makes them special. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll through our extensive catalog and order some free samples! If you don’t see your ideal Moroccan zellige tile, we may be able to assist with a custom order. No matter the nature of your project, you won’t be disappointed with zellige’s colorful backstory and equally colorful appearance. Give us a call at 310-870-5192 or send us an email at
info@ziatile.com. We ship worldwide!
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