Hdaya guides

Zellige beldi: how to spot good craftsmanship

Last checked 24 October 2026

In short

Zellige beldi is more than a pretty colour: cutting, assembling and laying are each a craft of their own. Look at the maâlem's real work, ask how he'll do the job, and get the price in writing before he starts.

Before you choose a zellige maker

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Step by step

  1. See the work before talking price

    In their photos or at the workshop

    Ask for photos of the maâlem's own jobs, not pictures pulled from the internet. Look at the cutting, the laying and the finish, and ask what he does himself and what he hands to someone else.

  2. Ask him to explain his method

    With the maâlem or cooperative

    Cutting, assembling and laying are different jobs. Ask the maâlem what he plans for your space and how. Each region has its own way, and none of them is the rule for all of Morocco.

  3. Agree the details up front

    Before you commit

    Write down the area, materials, finish, transport and what the price covers. The word “authentic” proves nothing on its own: the proof is work you can see and a clear answer.

  4. Choose a maâlem near you

    Among craftspeople and cooperatives on Hdaya

    Look for a nearby maâlem or cooperative, check their own work and send a message with photos of the space, the measurements and your city. Hdaya shows people and their work as they are, with no made-up guarantees.

A good place to start

Start with a real photo and a clear question

Pick a maâlem or cooperative that shows its work clearly, and ask about materials, laying and finish before you commit.

Read the reference

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Zellige beldi in the Moroccan home

In a riad, a douiria (small guest annex) or a living room being readied for a wedding, the zellige is the first thing you see: shapes and colours meeting across floor and walls. Zellige beldi (handmade zellige) is cut piece by piece, then assembled and laid. The maâlem's hand shows at every stage.

Every region has its own way

  • Tetouan is part of UNESCO's Creative Cities network, and zellige is one of the crafts it is known for.
  • Morocco's crafts ministry works on protecting Moroccan zellige and the quality of the craft.
  • The craft varies from region to region and from one maâlem to the next. There is no single right way, only the one that suits your space.

What to ask a zellige maâlem

  • Send a wide photo of the space, the measurements and a photo of a zellige you like.
  • Who does the cutting, and who does the laying?
  • What does the price include: materials, transport, laying, cleaning up?
  • How long will the job take, and what happens if a piece breaks?

If you are redoing the whole living room, see also Moroccan carved plaster (gebs), the nejjar, Morocco's woodworker and the tapissier and the Moroccan salon.

Questions people ask

Is there just one style of Moroccan zellige?

No. The craft and its details vary from one tradition and region to another. Ask the maâlem to explain his way of working and show you an example.

What should I ask a zellige maker?

Ask for photos of his work, the materials, how it will be laid, the finish and what the price includes.

Is the word “authentic” enough?

No. Look at the real work and how clear the answers are, and only treat it as a certificate if a clear source backs it.

References

Procedures change. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will check it again.

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