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Samples of zelliges, from the Dar-El Beïda Palace built in Meknes (Morocco) in the 18th century, were studied by optical absorption and Raman spectroscopies. The results obtained by the two techniques were in agreement and show that the glazes of the zelliges are lead oxide-rich in composition. Other phases were also detected, mainly the SnO2 cassiterite opacifier for the white glaze, and heamatite (α-Fe2O3) in association with magnetite Fe3O4 and manganese oxide (MnO2) for the brown glaze. For the blue and green glazes, the elements responsible for the coloring are cobalt (Co2+) and copper (Cu2+), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]