Moorish mosaic

Mosaic tables    Mosaic fountains    Mosaic preassembled tiles     Mosaic tiles borders     Mosaic tops

The mosaic or traditional zellige of ceramic tiles is a highly lasting architectural resource that enables to enhance and distinguish any space. 

Due to its versatility can be integrated as well indoors as outdoors whether in a traditional or contemporary style. It also can be used throughout the house; in bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces, columns, courtyards, gardens, terraces and porches, pools... etc. 

VALUES AND BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL MOSAIC 

This traditional art inherited from former civilisations, developed and refined along throughout history, it reached his more important stage with the Andalusian Caliphate by the twelfth century. Althought being a complex process requiring a great artistry and expertise, it offers many advantages:

•     It is economically profitable thanks to the long durability due to the solid internal and external structure of the tiles and their strong union.
• It is a very creative resource by its cultural, artistic and architectural features.
• Furthemore, by being a handmade mosaic, it helps create unique environments thanks to the unlimited diversity of compositions, designs and colour combinations.
• It is fireproof, so it does not burn at any temperature or issue toxic fumes, and its colours are very resistant to sunlight. 
• It is a good insulator, acting as a natural cooling in summer and retaining ambient heat in winter.
• This material is environmentally friendly and biodegradable as it is made from 100% natural raw material.
• It guarantees the promotion of the handcrafted tradition, the sustainable development and accomplishment of the artisans and their lives. 

CUSTOMIZED DESIGN 

We offer a wide variety of mosaic designs adapted to your needs and tastes. There are simple designs using the principle of symmetry and repeating interlocked or overlapped patterns and motifs. The result is a very balanced creation with a dynamic and harmonious effect.

The ornamental repertoire offers 3 main categories: geometric design, consisting of the union of small hand-carved ceramic tiles, floral design and calligraphic design. 

Floral and calligraphic design are composed by the union of previously etched or hand-chiselled ceramic pieces using a technique originally called Ataurique, which consists of shaping motifs by chiselling them on glazed ceramic, where the background remains in its natural terracota tone. 

PRODUCTION OF CERAMIC TILES FOR MOSAIC 

                                                                                                                                              The manufacturing of the tiles begins by the production of the raw material:  The ceramic.                                     

The first step to obtain ceramic is to mix clay and water and letting it soak for a day. After this it gets kneaded by hands and feet to a high flexibility and homogeneity. Finally it is cut into 10 cm squares, 10-15 mm thick. 

The clay squares are sun dried before being first baked in a traditional oven. Later they get one side stained and returned to the oven for a final baking. 

Since we use an organic combustion oven and the heat is not homogeneous, the clay squares are placed at different oven heights depending on the required temperature, in order to achieve a certain color. For example white squares are placed at the bottom tray followed by blue, yellow and green at the highest tray.                                          

All our handmade ceramics show color, texture, tone and shadow variations on its surface. These differences and irregularities are far from being considered imperfections, as they are inherent qualities to the famous mosaic or Fez zellige. 

THE ART OF MOSAIC 

Our mosaic workshop, is formed by 4 different specialist artisans. They apply the old ceramic breakage technique, and manually cut with a chisell the squares in order to obtain small shaped tiles.

The artisan Racham traces the shape of each tile on the ceramic square by using an ink pen. After this the artisan Kassar cuts the tiles with a very sharp chisel. 

 Once you have the shaped tile, begins the finest and most delicate phase, which is handled by the Khallas artisan. He cuts the bottom edges without touching the glazed surface, finishing this way the tile.

The union of the tiles is made by their wedge shape, where the vitrified face appears the tightest possible, while the natural face keeps little spaces between each tile, allowing the cement to penetrate through. 

The artisan Farrach, draws the mosaic picture and places each tile face down according to the predefined design. Now he covers this side with a cement, water and sand mixture. 

A few days later the mosaic can be moved and the artisan proceeds to its final grouting and cleaning. 

Mosaic fountains                             

Our premium mosaic creation are pre-built fountains, an original architectural resource that ensures the divine presence of water, cools air flows and provides a pleasant background sound. We are also specialised in pre-assembled mosaic floors and walls as well as in colourful table tops. 

Usually the fountains are located at the entrance to greet visitors, in a special corner, even in the center or attached to a wall, where the effect invites to the enjoyment of the ambient.

Each fountain can be customized combining desired colours and designs.

Always adapting to customers’ wishes, all our fountains, can be fitted with an easy to use closed electrical circuit that allows water to flow continuously through, evoking an inspiring atmosphere.

All our fountains have welded wheels at their base for transport. These wheels can be removed or kept, proceeding to cover them with decorative stones, plants or round borders gaining up to 10cm height.