zillij

Zillij, also spelled zellige, is a form of Islamic mosaic tilework characterized by individually cut, glazed ceramic tesserae arranged to form intricate geometric patterns. The term derives from the Arabic الزليج (al-zillīj). While it is most closely associated with Moroccan architecture, the technique appears in the broader Maghreb and in Al-Andalus, where Andalusian artisans helped develop the craft.

Tesserae are small, often irregularly shaped pieces fired in a glaze, then cut by hand into shapes such as squares, diamonds, triangles, and stars. The tiles are set into a lime or gypsum plaster base with fine joints, forming interlocking patterns that emphasize symmetry and tessellation. Colors traditionally include blues, turquoises, greens, yellows, and whites, though modern palettes vary.

Zillij developed in medieval Islamic architecture and reached particular refinement in Morocco during the Marinid and Saadian periods (roughly the 13th to 17th centuries). Andalusian refugees and artisans who settled in Morocco contributed technical knowledge and stylistic motifs. The technique was used on walls, facades, fountains, and ceilings in mosques, madrasas, palaces, and riads.

Today zillij remains a living craft in Morocco, produced by specialized workshops in cities such as Fes, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tetouan. It continues to influence contemporary architecture and interior design, with modern architects preserving traditional patterns while applying zellige to exterior and interior surfaces.