Moroccan Decorative Arts

At the crossroads of Eastern Arabia and the Western Mediterranean, represented by Andalucía, Morocco’s rich history has given its art a par¬ticular luster. It has been inspi¬red by the artistic traditions that preceded it, namely Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Visigothic,Berber and Central Asian.
The major components of Moroccan decorative art are mainly linked to traditional architecture. It is architecture both refined and ornamen¬tal, characterized by its wealth of decorations in all fields of arts and crafts. Mosques, palaces, gardens, medersas or religious schools, interior deco¬ration, plates and dishes, materials, these are all witnesses of an exceptional know-how and an incomparable talent in decorative terms. Zelliges or tiles, tadlakt, finely elaborate woodwork and calligrapby are the pillars supporting this abundance of riches.

The art of zellige (square enameled clay tiles) has been inspired by Byzantine mosaics, itself influenced by Italian marquetry and by Andalucian azulejos or glazed tiles. In the 10th century, the new art of enameled ceramics appeared. These were not the traditionally uniform pieces of a centimeter square, but diversely shaped pieces. Right up to today, they were strictly produced using the same process and are made by the deft hand of the craftsman or zlaygiyya.

Woodworking as well comes down to us from ancient traditions, particularly Eastern and Andalucian. It developed around the 12′ » century, under the influence of the Merenids. The forests of the different regions of Morocco, particularly those of the Atlas, gave birth to this art that today is so prized by the nation’s great families to decorate their homes. Woodworking, whether painted, sculpted or turned, enhances the friezes, the wall panels or even the mouchara¬biehs or engraved wood.
Another characteristic process of Moroccan decorative arts is that of stucco. Unlike the decorative work in plaster used in western countries that are produced according to a molding technique, here in Morocco it is sculpted and shaped.
Moroccan decorative art, however, is not only composed of zelliges, wood and plaster. Other noble materials are used as well, like tadlakt, a wall covering made of clay and limestone sand, tiles and forged iron.

All this gives richness to Moroccan art that has been perpetuated from generation to generation. The passing on of talent characterizes the decorative arts. The master craftsmen have long handed down from father to son an art that becomes fully-blown in the ornamentation in the villas of the rich, in palaces, and in monuments. This know-how requires a lengthy apprentice¬ship that begins in childhood. Thanks to this faithful transmission, traditional art has been able to maintain its identity The Hassan II Masque is the most significant example of the talents of craftsmen who have perpetuated their ancestral techniques and the richness of Moroccan decorative art .