zellij

Their dar was small and plain, tiled with worn zellij.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

In order to protect the ancient zellij on the stairs to the first floor, Sandy asked the sweeper to cover them in plastic and top this with an inch of plaster, the idea being that we would pull up the whole lot, plastic, plaster and all, when work was completed.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

I had to ignore the objections of my nose as David excitedly pointed out the exquisite wooden carving around the atrium, and the fine zellij work on the wall fountain.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

Having done this the terrace floor was retiled with large terra-cotta tiles embellished with a carpet of zellij down the center.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

Of the original features, there remained only the gallery balustrade, some exposed beams, and the zellij in a couple of rooms.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

As replacing them meant removing the intricate zellij on the floor above, then digging out more than a foot of earth used as insulating material, it was a less than thrilling prospect.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

The Fassis still have courtyard houses, with zellij that bears more than a passing resemblance to Roman mosaics, although with geometric rather than figurative designs.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

The columns along the two longest sides of the courtyard were covered with zellij.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

The first was a larger dar with pristine blue and white zellij.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007

Although the tiles were new, they had been skilfully laid in the old style, and I was not surprised to learn that the house had been the home of a master zellij craftsman.

A House in Fez SUZANNA CLARKE 2007