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Ceramic Tiles

From Assyrian to Majolica, and from accent to all-encompassing, ceramic tiles have offered delightful design and pattern to both interiors and exteriors for centuries. Complementing their beauty is their extensive history, which traces its roots well into antiquity.

The heritage of decorative ceramic tiles originates around 4000 B.C., when the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia began experimenting with glazed brick to create dazzling façades and pictorial programs. The tradition of elegantly glazed and decorated tiles continued to develop in the Islamic world, a region whose artistic traditions celebrate the rich styling of scrolling motifs and arabesques. By the 11th century, this tradition had spread to Western Europe, where elegantly glazed tiles appeared across the continent.

Some producers, like those working in the Faïence and Majolica traditions, experimented with color and painted patterns to produce vibrant and eclectic tiles. Others, like manufacturers in the Dutch city of Delft, translated the brilliant blue and white patterns so beloved on porcelain dishware into tile designs. Since the days of distinguished Delft and magnificent Majolica, ceramic tiles have become more prevalent, making us treasure these decorative pieces from the past even more.


Quick Facts

  • One of the best surviving examples of extravagant ceramic tile work in Western Europe is that seen the Great Mosque at Cordoba, many of which were added between the 8th and 9th centuries
  • Until the 19th century and its advances in mechanization, decorative ceramic tile making was done predominantly by hand
  • It was not until the 1900s that the notion of tiling interior spaces became commonplace. Architects at the time, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, capitalized on this new popularity by incorporating rich tiled motifs into their designs

Recommended Items at Auction

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HARRIS G. STRONG (AMERICAN, 1920-2006)
Nov 09, 10:00 AM CST
HARRIS G. STRONG (AMERICAN, 1920-2006)
by Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $150- $300
$1503 Bids
A Six Ceramic Tile Flower Arrangement
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
A Six Ceramic Tile Flower Arrangement
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$253 Bids
EVELYN ACKERMAN (AMERICAN, 1924-2012)
Nov 09, 10:00 AM CST
EVELYN ACKERMAN (AMERICAN, 1924-2012)
by Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$2,6002 Bids
UNIDENTIFIED (20TH CENTURY), TOTEM POLE
Nov 07, 2:00 PM EST
UNIDENTIFIED (20TH CENTURY), TOTEM POLE
by Waddington's
Est: $150- $200
$1102 Bids
Pottery - Persian style pottery tile water carrier, 33 cm x 22 cm
Nov 16, 9:30 AM AEST
Pottery - Persian style pottery tile water carrier, 33 cm x 22 cm
by Nick Rowland Auctions
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD352 Bids
OTTOMAN TILE, DAMASCUS, FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY 9 x 9 in. (22.9 x 22.9 cm.)
Nov 19, 10:00 AM EST
OTTOMAN TILE, DAMASCUS, FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY 9 x 9 in. (22.9 x 22.9 cm.)
by Potomack Company
Est: $800- $1,000
$4252 Bids
Two Antique Dutch Tiles & a Porcelain Pipe
Nov 17, 11:00 AM ACST
Two Antique Dutch Tiles & a Porcelain Pipe
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD40- AUD80
AUD352 Bids
An Italian glazed wall tile 20th century
Nov 06, 5:00 PM AEDT
An Italian glazed wall tile 20th century
by For-Auction
Est: AUD30- AUD50
AUD202 Bids
110 mid century flower tiles
Nov 03, 9:00 AM MST
110 mid century flower tiles
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
REVE, G. (Reve-tegels 1-3): 'Dagsluiting', 'Roeping', 'Droom'. Rott., Uitg. Bébert, 1986
Nov 12, 1:30 PM CET
REVE, G. (Reve-tegels 1-3): 'Dagsluiting', 'Roeping', 'Droom'. Rott., Uitg. Bébert, 1986
by Burgersdijk & Niermans
Est: €80- €100
€801 Bid
Tiles x 3 - Hand painted Italian tiles, 1 x fruit, 1 x cactus, 1 x cat
Nov 16, 9:30 AM AEST
Tiles x 3 - Hand painted Italian tiles, 1 x fruit, 1 x cactus, 1 x cat
by Nick Rowland Auctions
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD201 Bid
Pair of Framed Ceramic Tiles
Nov 23, 10:00 AM EST
Pair of Framed Ceramic Tiles
by Copake Auction Inc.
Est: $50- $75
$201 Bid
Lot of Early Tiles - Various Makers & Conditions
Nov 07, 6:00 PM EST
Lot of Early Tiles - Various Makers & Conditions
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$151 Bid
CHEONG SOO PIENG SINGAPOREAN CERAMIC ART TILE
Nov 11, 1:00 PM EST
CHEONG SOO PIENG SINGAPOREAN CERAMIC ART TILE
by Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
Dutch Polychrome Glazed Animal Ceramic Tiles, 4
Nov 19, 11:00 AM EST
Dutch Polychrome Glazed Animal Ceramic Tiles, 4
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$501 Bid
A set of two Iranian Qayar tiles with a decoration of courtiers. 25 x 32 cm.
Nov 07, 7:00 PM CET
A set of two Iranian Qayar tiles with a decoration of courtiers. 25 x 32 cm.
by Medusa Auctioneers
Est: €10- €0
€101 Bid
24 Rhode island design tiles
Nov 03, 9:00 AM MST
24 Rhode island design tiles
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
Spanish Madonna glazed terra cotta tile mounted on board
Nov 03, 10:00 AM EDT
Spanish Madonna glazed terra cotta tile mounted on board
by King Galleries
Est: $300- $450
$1501 Bid
MAN-MADE TILE ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
Jan 18, 1:00 PM CST
MAN-MADE TILE ROCK STONE LAPIDARY SPECIMEN
by Col. Christie Hatman, Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$1000 Bids
German Forest Ceramic Art Tile
Nov 09, 2:00 PM EST
German Forest Ceramic Art Tile
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $75- $150
$600 Bids
Seascape, Isle of Capri, Faraglioni Ceramic Art Tile
Nov 09, 2:00 PM EST
Seascape, Isle of Capri, Faraglioni Ceramic Art Tile
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $40- $80
$300 Bids
TRAY WITH TILE PAINTING, HOLLAND
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
TRAY WITH TILE PAINTING, HOLLAND
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
132 TILES, HOLLAND 20TH CENTURY,
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
132 TILES, HOLLAND 20TH CENTURY,
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€6500 Bids
84 TILES, HOLLAND 20TH CENTURY, P
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
84 TILES, HOLLAND 20TH CENTURY, P
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€5000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Ceramic Tiles


Historia Auctionata

Historia Auctionata

Olympia Auctions

Olympia Auctions

Corte Real, Leiloeira

Corte Real, Leiloeira

Kendzia

Kendzia