OLD ORIENTAL CARPET
MOROCCAN ZILLIJ CERAMIC TILE WORK
Although basic functional unglazed clay pottery has been hand made in Morocco for centuries the major transition into more sophisticated coloured individual tiles is more recent. Towards the end of the Moorish Islamic occupation of Spain in 1492 many skilled artisans returned to Morocco with their artistic skills and experience. The use of small, glazed, hand cut tiles in many colours called "Zillij" was born.
They are used to decorate both decorative and functional items for the home, kitchen and ouside courtyards, Huge panels containing thousands of tiles decorate whole walls of important houses, hotels, government and royal buildings.
This 500 year old zillij technique is still used today to decorate our range of water fountains and we work closely with our Moroccan studio to ensure both intricate and beautiful designs. Every fountain is unique. We have a range of medium height fountains (110 cms high) and larger examples (120 cms high). Prices are euros 680 and 780 respectively. Local home delivery and installation is free and each is supplied with a free water pump.
We keep a selection of fountains in our bazaar -- Ali's Regalos -- in the ancient Moorish mountain village of Gaucin in Andalucia. Please ask if you have particular colour preferences, or you would like to know about other types of decor and furniture in the zillij style.
Simple two coloured pattern for the top of this table.
More intricate design and multi coloured zillij tiles are used in this panel which was part of a large wall mural.
Left to right -- medium and large fountain currently on show in our own Moroccan Bazaar - Ali's Regalos - in Gaucin, Andalucia.
Large fountain with very intricate floral design.
Very pleasing combination of soft colours in this large example featuring a distinct "Mihrab" or prayer arch design.
This medium size fountain features a very clever design using only various shades of indigo blue. It will transform a terrace or larger patio.
Crisply drawn design in this example of a large fountain makes for almost perfection. But wait --- notice the slightly darker shade of colour used in the right hand border lines. Possibly in recognition that nothing man made can be perfect.
Very pleasing medium size fountain with clear colours and a nicely proportioned prayer arch panel.
SOLD. A stylish customer used this green tiled fountain with a tree of life panel to compliment her colour themed courtyard of pots with graceful, cooling, green ferns. The running water and cool plants are a foil for the heat of the Andalucian summer months.
An attractive medium sized fountain using shades of blue and having a delicate tree of life design panel.
Unusual subdued shades of zillij tiles have a calm cool, effect.
Some other uses for zillij tilework decoration in Moroccan life. Here is a kitchen fireplace surround in a Berber house.
And here are tiles in the kitchen of the writer·s own Spanish kitchen
An antique table dating from the 1920s still in use in a cafe in Marrakech.
An old zillij tiled table in a shady courtyard of an Andalucian garden.
