FRIEZE OF TILES (ZELLIJ) WITH EXCISED DECORATION Morocco, 14th-17th century Underglazed black ceramic, the background excised (or scratched) to reveal the Arabic inscription in cursive in a black cartouche, the background formerly stuccoed, composite chips, mounted. Size: 7.5 x 26.5 cm Provenance: Alexis Renard, Paris Collection of an amateur from Marseilles, acquired in 2012 Accompanied by a QED thermoluminescence test, 2012 The Marinids of Morocco (1244-1465) were distinguished by the use of several techniques in their architectural decoration: carved wood, stucco, ceramic mosaics and excised ceramics such as this calligraphic band. The tiles are fired with a covering opaque black glaze, which is then excised to reveal the decoration in reserve. The excised background is then given a whitish paste that slightly accentuates the contrast with the inscription while unifying the appearance of the excised background. A fine example from the Bou 'Inaniya madrasa in Fez is kept in the Batha Museum (C18). The technique continued unchanged during the Saadi dynasty (1554-1659), making this type of tile difficult to date accurately. A Calligraphic Pottery Tile Panel, Merinid or Saadi Morocco, 14th-17th century