Every stroke is applied by hand. Every colour is chosen by you. Every tile that leaves our workshop is one of a kind — because it was made for you, and no one else.

WHAT IS HAND-PAINTED ZELLIGE?

Hand-painted zellige is exactly what the name says — authentic Moroccan terracotta tile, glazed and then painted by hand by our master artisans before firing. Unlike standard zellige, where the colour comes entirely from the glaze, hand-painted zellige allows for an extraordinary level of detail, pattern, and personalisation. Floral motifs, geometric patterns, calligraphic inscriptions, botanical illustrations, abstract designs, architectural borders — if you can imagine it, our craftsmen can paint it onto tile.

This is one of the most labour-intensive and skilled forms of tilework in the Moroccan tradition. Each tile passes through the hands of an artisan who has spent years — in many cases a lifetime — developing the precision and steadiness required to paint fine detail onto a glazed clay surface. The result is a tile that is not just beautiful. It is personal. It is art. And it will outlast everything else in your home.

How a hand-painted zellige tile is made

STEP 1

Shaping the clay Raw terracotta clay is hand-pressed into moulds and left to dry naturally. The clay used is sourced locally and has the same mineral composition that has been used in Moroccan tilework for over a thousand years.

STEP 2

First firing The raw tiles are loaded into a traditional kiln and fired at high temperature. This hardens the clay and prepares the surface to receive the glaze.

STEP 3

Base glaze application A base glaze — white, cream, or coloured depending on your design — is applied to the tile surface by hand. This becomes the background on which the painting will sit.

STEP 4

Hand painting This is where the skill of the master artisan is most visible. Using fine brushes and mineral-based pigments, the artisan paints your chosen design directly onto the glazed surface. Every line, every curve, every detail is drawn freehand. No stencils, no transfers, no digital printing. Just a steady hand and decades of practice.

STEP 5

Second firing The painted tile goes back into the kiln for a second firing, which fuses the painted design permanently into the glaze. The colours deepen, the surface becomes hard and durable, and the design is locked in for life.

STEP 6

Quality inspection and packing Every finished tile is inspected by hand before packing. Tiles that do not meet our quality standard are rejected. Only perfect tiles leave our workshop.

Your design, your colours, your tile — we make exactly what you have in mind

This is where hand-painted zellige becomes truly extraordinary. Unlike any other tile category, hand-painted zellige is entirely customisable. You are not choosing from a catalogue. You are commissioning a design. And we will work with you until it is exactly right.

What you can choose:

Pattern and motif Tell us what you want painted on your tiles. Our most popular options include:

— Traditional Moroccan geometric patterns — stars, diamonds, interlocking shapes, compass roses — Floral and botanical motifs — roses, jasmine, palm leaves, lotus, olive branches — Arabesque and calligraphic designs — flowing interlace, Arabic script, decorative inscriptions — Architectural patterns — arches, columns, window lattice, Moorish ornament — Contemporary and abstract designs — your own artwork or concept, interpreted by our craftsmen — Custom logos, monograms, or symbols — for hospitality, commercial, and residential projects