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$250
A striking vintage Moroccan ceramic tile, handcrafted and hand-painted in Fez, Morocco, circa 1950, featuring expressive Arabic calligraphy in deep brown against a warm ivory glazed ground. The composition is particularly graphic, with large sweeping calligraphic forms extending across virtually the entire four-inch square surface. Rather than functioning simply as ornament, the Arabic script becomes the principal decorative motif, creating an almost abstract pattern of curves, flourishes and contrasting negative space. The tile was individually crafted and painted by a Moroccan artisan using techniques associated with the historic ceramic workshops of Fez, a city renowned for its pottery, architectural tilework and zellige traditions. The ivory-toned glaze displays subtle irregularities and surface character, while the brown pigment varies slightly in intensity, evidence of the handmade nature of the piece. Although closely related aesthetically to Moroccan zellige and Moorish architectural decoration, this example is more accurately described as a hand-painted glazed ceramic tile rather than a traditional cut-zellige mosaic element. Its compact size makes it especially appealing as a collectible decorative object. Display it individually on a small stand or easel, incorporate it into a grouping of Moroccan and Islamic ceramics, place it among books and collected objects, or combine it with other calligraphic tiles to create a distinctive wall installation. The strong brown-and-ivory palette also gives the tile a surprisingly contemporary quality. The bold calligraphic composition works particularly well in interiors mixing antique, tribal, Islamic and modern design. A charming example of mid-20th-century Moroccan folk and decorative art, combining calligraphy, ceramic craftsmanship and the rich visual traditions of Fez. Handcrafted and hand-painted in Fez, Morocco, circa 1950.
