Ceramics · Fes

Zellige Mosaic Table

Round or square tables with tops made from hand-cut zellige tile mosaic in geometric star and polygon patterns, mounted on wrought iron or carved wooden legs.

History & Cultural Context

Zellige tabletops are a portable application of the same architectural mosaic tradition used in palaces and mosques. Fes remains the center of production where master craftsmen (maallems) assemble thousands of hand-cut tile pieces face-down, back them with cement, and mount them on decorative bases. A single tabletop can contain 2,000+ individual pieces.

Materials

Hand-cut zellige tilesGlazed ceramic pieces in multiple colors
Cement backingStructural backing for the mosaic
Wrought iron or wooden legsDecorative table base

Production Techniques

Hand-chiseling zelligeTraditional
Each tile piece cut individually from glazed squares
Reverse mosaic assemblyTraditional
Pieces placed face-down, cemented from behind

Production Notes

Glazed ceramic squares are hand-cut with chisels into geometric shapes. Pieces are assembled face-down using black soap as temporary adhesive, backed with cement, and turned over to reveal the pattern. Mounted on iron or wood legs. Production: 2–6 weeks depending on size and complexity.

Quality Indicators

Authenticity

Individual hand-cut pieces (not printed pattern)

Quality

Tight, even gaps between tile pieces

Red Flags

Printed ceramic top mimicking zellige

Price Ranges

Budget500 – 1500 MAD(~$50 – $150)

Small side table (40cm), simple pattern, 3–4 colors

Mid-range1500 – 4000 MAD(~$150 – $400)

Medium dining table (60–80cm), star patterns, iron legs

Premium4000 – 10000 MAD(~$400 – $1000)

Large table (100cm+), complex multi-star pattern, heavy iron base

Luxury10000 – 25000 MAD(~$1000 – $2500)

Custom architectural tables, master maallem, 8+ colors