Woodwork · Fes, Marrakech

Moucharabieh Screen Panel

Intricately assembled wooden lattice screens made from small turned wooden dowels fitted together without nails or glue. Traditional privacy screens.

History & Cultural Context

Moucharabieh (mashrabiya) screens originated in the Middle East and were adopted into Moroccan architecture for windows, room dividers, and balcony railings. The lattice allows air flow and filtered light while maintaining privacy. Each piece is assembled from hundreds of individually turned wooden elements.

Materials

Hardwood (cedar, beech, or walnut)Small turned pieces in dense hardwood

Production Techniques

Piece turningTraditional
Individual cylindrical and spherical elements turned on a lathe
Mortise assembly without glueTraditional
Pieces fitted together using precision-cut joints

Production Notes

Small cylindrical and spherical wooden pieces are hand-turned, then assembled into geometric lattice patterns using precise mortise joints. No glue or nails. A panel can contain 500+ individual pieces. Production: 1–4 weeks per panel.

Quality Indicators

Quality

No visible gaps between assembled piecesConsistent piece sizes throughout

Red Flags

Glued joints or visible nails

Price Ranges

Budget200 – 600 MAD(~$20 – $60)

Small decorative panels (30x30cm), simple patterns

Mid-range600 – 2000 MAD(~$60 – $200)

Medium panels, complex lattice, quality wood

Premium2000 – 6000 MAD(~$200 – $600)

Large room dividers, hundreds of pieces, master assembly

Luxury6000 – 20000 MAD(~$600 – $2000)

Architectural installations, custom sizes, exceptional craftsmanship