Zillij Tile: the Traditional Moroccan Mosaic Tiles

Zillij (tile) is an important element of decoration. The word tile is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, derived from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay.
Zillij (tile) is an important element of decoration. The word tile is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, derived from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay. The process of production begins by mixing clay and water and kneeling them by hands and feet until they reach a high level of flexibility and homogeneity. Then, the mixture is cut into squares of 1 cm thickness each. The squares get dried up under the sun before they are put in a special oven for their first phase baking. The tiles are placed in different levels according to the degree of temperature required to attain a particular color. The white tile is often placed in the bottom followed by the blue, yellow, and the green on the top. The second phase starts when we remove the tiles from the oven and separate them by their colors; once we are done with this process, we start drawing the patterns of the intended design directly on tiles; this is done by ‘rasham’ followed by the cutting process which is performed by ‘naqqash’ who carefully separate the drawn pattern by a sharpened hammer. Last but not least, ‘khallas’ or finisher finishes the work by cutting the tiles’ edges assuring that they meet all requirements for production. With the help of our design team, the zillij master draws the design layout on the ground and places each furmah or piece of tile in its exact place in the overall pattern. Interestingly enough, the placement of tiles is done upside down, which makes it even more difficult to absorb.
Zillij usually covers the walls, floors and columns of many spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, living and dining rooms and many other spaces. These spaces do not only include residences, but also restaurants, hotels, theatres, and so on. Zillij takes different motifs (geometric, floral and chiseled) and colors. Each motif and color remains a symbol and has a special significance in the iconography of the Islamic/Moorish art. However, we understand that our clients’ needs and tastes vary, and so are our motifs and colors.
Apart from the floors and walls, zillij can be used to produce beautiful tables and fountains with a wide variety of motifs and colors. The fountains can either be central or part of a wall. It is usually placed on the wall opposite the main entrance, immediately facing the visitor, as the focus of the zillij decoration. The fountain is a very important element of the Moorish house because water is an epitome of life in Islam. In the hot Islamic climate, the water from courtyard pools and fountains cools as decorates. Water does not only reflect architecture and multiply decorative themes, but it can also serve as a means of emphasizing the visual axes.

Benefits of Zillij (Tiles)

Creative benefits

* Feature historic, cultural, artistic, and architectural themes.
* Create unique atmosphere by combining various designs, colors, shapes, and textures.
Economic and Technical benefits

* Structurally, tile is one of the strongest mechanical finishes, interior and exterior.
* It is fire-resistant and it does not burn at any temperature or produce toxic fumes.
* Its colors are permanent, unaffected by UV rays or fading from sun exposure.
* It is non-conductive and it will not produce an electric shock. It is ideal in sensitive computer installations in corporate settings or home offices.
* It offers high insulation values; it acts as natural cooling element in the summer and retains ambient heat in cold weather.

Environmental & Health benefits

* Slip resistance for improved safety on interior and exterior surfaces.
* It is made from a 100% plentiful and natural raw material that, when removed from a site, is not harmful to the landfills.
* It reduces allergies and improves indoor air quality