Moroccan tiles
Zellij Mosaic Tiles: Tiles of Fez, Morocco
Zellij tiles also known as " zillij" or "zellige" or "zelij " are handcrafted Moorish glazed terracotta tiles.
Beginning in the mid-llth century, North Africa's Almoravid rulers, and later the Almohads, introduced zillij to the buildings of their imperial cities in Morocco and Spain. It can still be seen on important dynastic landmarks such as the minaret of the Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakesh, the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda in Seville.
In Fez, at the beginning of the 13th century, a survey of the city ordered by the Almohad ruler al-Nasir Muhammad (1199-1213) counted 188 ceramic workshops. In the 14th century, historian Ibn Khaldun noted the desire of wealthy merchants there "to build great houses and decorate them with ceramics, mosaics, and arabesques."
In later years in Muslim Spain, or al-Andalus, zillij reached artistic heights that have never been surpassed, evident especially in the Alcazar and Alhambra palaces. As Arab historian Leo Africanus noted, the eventual expulsion of the Muslims from Spain in 1492 benefited Fez: It provided the city with an influx not only of great craftsmen, but also a new class of patrons.
Today, private patronage is still the key to sustaining labor-intensive zillij, which—though an unusually expensive art form—is considered indispensable by Moroccans of all social and economic stations.
Zellij tiles are handmade in Morocco for generation by skilled & tallented mosaic craftsmen. The art of mosaic in Morocco, called "Zillij," dates back many centuries. Handmade, hand-glazed and hand-cut terra cotta tile and mosaics are crafted using traditional and regional clays and glaze pigments. Medina is timeless and works beautifully in traditional and contemporary interiors.
Zellij Tiles can be used for Kitchen backsplash, Kitchen floors, bathroom vanities, shower walls, bathroom floors, indoor fountains, table tops, and fireplace suround.
Zellij is available in several glazed colors such as white zellij , green zellij, red zellij, cobalt blue zellij, yellow zellij, turquoise zellij, black zellij, lime green zellij, brown zellij, tan zellij, beige zellij, and many other custom made colors available in square tiles, rectangular tiles ( bejmat tiles, subway tiles, pavers, bricks) and several geometric patterns shapes.
Handmade Terracotta Tiles
Saint Tropez Boutique offer large selection of handcrafted Moroccan terracotta tiles in 4" x 4" , 2" x 2" , 1" x 1", 2" x 6" (bejmat tiles), 4" x 8" pavers and several geometric designs.