ANTIQUES On the Tiles
Tiles have a fascinating history and antique examples are now avidly collected for both their artistic appeal and affordability
Words Jennie Buist Brown M
ost of us have them in our bathrooms, in our kitchens, on our fl oors and even in our fi replaces. Tiles
are ubiquitous – commonplace everyday items that we don’t give a second thought to unless we’re planning on re-tiling the bathroom or freshening up the grout. But tiles have a fascinating history and antique examples are now avidly collected for both their artistic appeal and affordability.
Tempted by tiles?
For the collector, tiles can be a world of absorption. They’ve been around for 6,000 years, developed in almost every culture and then cross-cultivated in designs and technology through
invasion and trade, so there’s a lot to learn – and importantly to enjoy. Research is really easy, websites and auction results abound. Prices for pristine 19th century tiles have improved recently and identifi able makers and designers can add hundreds of pounds to individual examples. However, it’s still very inexpensive to start exploring.
M&G always have tiles in stock at Granville House Antiques Centre and are always happy to swap knowledge with our visitors. See the contact details on our advert.
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The majority of old tiles encountered today are products of the Industrial Revolution – tin-glazed earthenware tiles from the Delft- producing centres of the mid-18th century and dust-pressed tiles from the Victorian and Edwardian periods – but Egyptian tiles date back to at least 4,000BC and, closer to home in Oxfordshire, Roman roof tiles were discovered in 2004 indicating that Roman builders were pretty keen on using tiles 2,000 years ago.
From the 16th century onwards, Moorish tile-making slowly spread north through Spain and some of the most spectacular ceramics can be found at the Alhambra Palace in Granada and in the Great Mosque in Cordoba. From the 14th century tin-glazed tile-making spread from Holland over to England.
By the medieval period, tile-making potters travelled around the country using local clays and fi ring them on site. The tiles were hand-made by fl attening the clay and cutting pieces into shape. The only mechanical aid was a wooden mould carved in relief which indented a pattern on the clay slab. The slab would then be dried and the impression fi led with white pipe clay. These ‘encaustic’ or inlaid tiles were
made from the 12th to the 16th centuries but this skill disappeared with the dissolution of the monasteries and was not revived until the 19th century when, as a result of the Industrial Revolution, the manufacture of both wall and fl oor tiles hit its peak. During Queen Victoria’s reign tiles began to be mass-produced and were used in many public buildings including churches, shops and houses for their functional properties and decorative effect. Transfer printing meant that the full
range of Victorian and Edwardian fashions could be applied to tiles which then adorned porches, bathrooms, butcher’s shops and fi shmongers, or were set in fi replaces and wash stands, jardinieres and coat stands.
1 & 2. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. 3. Blue Turkish tiles, by Khalid Mahmood - own work
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