Glue plays a crucial role in traditional Moroccan joinery, an art that reflects Morocco’s rich history and culture. This article aims to explore the context and specific uses of glue in this craft. In this blog you’ll find a comprehensive guide to our adhesives for the woodworking industry in Morocco:
Moroccan joinery, influenced by diverse cultures such as Andalusian, Arabic and Amazigh, is known for its intricate designs and detailed woodwork. Craftsmen, known as “joiners”, use techniques handed down from generation to generation to create furniture, doors and other wooden objects.
Glue is essential for assembling the various pieces of wood. When creating complex patterns, such as moucharabiehs (wooden screens), the glue ensures a solid, durable joint between the pieces, without altering the aesthetics.
Antiques and historic buildings often require restoration work. Glue is used to consolidate damaged areas while preserving the original integrity of the works.
In furniture decoration, glue can be used to fix decorative elements such as mother-of-pearl or ivory inlays. It is chosen for its ability to hold these elements in place while remaining unobtrusive.
Historically, natural glues, such as those based on casein (milk protein) or animal skin, were preferred. They offer strong adhesion while respecting traditional materials. Today, synthetic glues are also widely used for their strength and durability.
Moroccan joinery, with its rich cultural heritage, offers a variety of examples where the use of glue is paramount. Here are a few case studies and realizations that illustrate the importance of glue in this craft.
The medina of Fez, famous for its richly decorated wooden doors, is an excellent example of the use of glue in traditional joinery. These doors, often inlaid with geometric and floral motifs, are precisely assembled using natural glues. Glue plays an essential role in securing the different layers of wood and inlays, guaranteeing the durability and resistance of these works of art against harsh weather conditions.
In Marrakech, the manufacture of marquetry tables illustrates the use of glue to fix pieces of wood of different species and colors to create complex patterns. These tables, often decorated with motifs inspired by Islamic architecture, demonstrate the skill of craftsmen in using glue in such a way that the joints are virtually invisible, while ensuring a smooth, homogeneous surface.
The Palais Bahia in Marrakech, with its chiselled wooden ceilings and ornate murals, is a case study in restoration. Joiners use special glues to restore and preserve the intricate details of woodwork without compromising the original aesthetic. Glue selection is crucial to ensure that repairs are both durable and respectful of traditional techniques.
Moucharabiehs, openwork wooden screens typical of Moroccan architecture, represent another remarkable use of glue. In the creation of these delicate structures, glue is used to assemble multiple small pieces of wood, forming detailed patterns while ensuring the solidity of the whole. Glue should be chosen for its strength and discretion, so as not to distract from the beauty of the design.
Wooden boxes and cases, often sold in Moroccan souks, show how glue is used in smaller but equally detailed objects. These pieces are often inlaid with mother-of-pearl, bone or metal, and glue is precisely applied to hold these elements in place while preserving the object’s integrity and beauty.
The integration of modern glue products, such as those you offer, can provide craftsmen with more efficient and sustainable options while respecting traditional techniques. Let’s take a look at how our adhesives can be used in specific applications.
This adhesive is ideal for applications requiring rapid setting, such as the assembly of doors in the medina of Fez. Formulated without urea formaldehyde, it respects the environment and the health of craftsmen. It would be perfect for fixing different layers of wood and inlays in doors, ensuring a solid bond without compromising aesthetics.
Polycoll is particularly well-suited to the manufacture of solid wood furniture and frames, as in the creation of Marrakech marquetry tables. Its slow drying allows craftsmen to precisely adjust the different pieces of wood, guaranteeing perfect assembly and a meticulous finish, essential in the intricate patterns of marquetry.
For projects requiring rapid setting and strong adhesion, such as the assembly of Rabat’s moucharabiehs or the restoration of the Palais Bahia, Polycolle C80 is an excellent option. It is suitable for both solid and exotic woods, as well as for veneer and laminate on chipboard. Its versatility and fast take-up make it a wise choice for projects requiring both precision and efficiency.
Here are some tips on how to use each of these adhesives:
Correct use of these adhesives will help you achieve professional, long-lasting woodworking results.
To solve all your technical adhesive problems, contact us at +212 5 22 59 20 90/91. You can also send an e-mail to intercolles@intercolles.ma or visit our production sites in Aïn Sebaâ and Bouskoura.
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