Non-Western Exhibit
Mosaic Tilework of the Zellige If you're like me, you've definitely seen mosaic tilework before. From bathrooms to kitchens, to grand hotel lobbies and pools, these beautiful creations can be found everywhere. They are quite distinguishable as they are usually made up of different colors with elaborate geometric motifs. Have you ever wondered where this tradition came from? In this blog, we will be looking at the Zellige style which is a form of Islamic art and is also one of the main characteristics of Moroccan architecture. The tiles are made from the best clay and are almost always hand-cut and individually shaped. Before the tiles are shaped, they are "first fabricated into glazed squares, typically 10 cm per side, then cut by hand into a variety of pre-established shapes necessary to form the overall pattern" (Parker). There are many different forms, or shapes, of the Zellige tiles including squares, octagons, stars, and more. Artists position the clay tiles int
