Woolenius Tile Company, Berkeley, CA 1927-1939 Peacocks and grapevines were popular themes with a lot of the old tile companies. On this tile from Woolenius, we see both themes together. Very nicely detailed with natural-looking glazes. Can be framed, displayed as is or set into a fireplace or back splash. 8″ tall x [...]
Harding Black, San Antonio, TX c1940-1990 Harding Black is from San Antonio, Texas, and is best known for his beautiful glazes, and is considered by many to be a ceramics pioneer and one of the significant historical figures in 20th century American ceramics. His 12-tile panel depicts a Mexican man with his ox-driven cart [...]
Kraftile Company, Niles, CA 1926-1997 This little gem is a cuerda secs (dry line) tile with wide resist lines separating the glazes. The floral motif has seven satiny colors. We have a small quantity of this tile and 5 pieces of the same pattern with lighter green leaves (see last photo). 3″ square x [...]
D & M (Davies & McDonald), Los Angeles, CA 1928-1939 Spanish tin-glazed geometric tile with center hole was made by D & M. The five satiny glaze colors are slightly muted and orange glaze covers the sides. We’ve seen these used for lamp or mirror bases, but surely there were other uses. 7 3/4″ wide [...]
Markoff Mosaic Tile Co., Inglewood, CA 1926-1945 A photo in an old Markoff catalog shows these are corner pieces in a fireplace surround. They have an organic, hand-made feel with their uneven edges, dusty matte glazes and simple fleur de lis pattern. Use your imagination to display one or two of these handsome tiles! [...]
Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA 1921-1939 A giant tree dominates the foreground of this vintage Claycraft scenic tile. Across the river is a mission with mountains in the background. Notice all the wonderful details and fine workmanship that this company is known for. Mostly matte glaze colors have touches of satiny finish on the [...]
Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA 1925-1934 Amazing vintage tile depicts the famous giant sequoia tree with a road cut thru it. The self-framed tile is very three dimensional with dusty matte glazes in natural colors. Can be used for fireplace installation, framed in wood or iron, or displayed as is in a tile stand. [...]
Catalina Island Pottery, Avalon, CA 1927-1939 William Wrigley Jr. purchased Santa Catalina island in 1919 and discovered clay suitable for use in ceramics on the island. At first the pottery made bricks, pavers and roof tiles but in the late 1920′s they began to produce decorative glazed tile with bright, stylized Moorish designs, tile panels [...]
Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA 1925-1934 This spectacular vintage tile depicts three sailing ships on the open sea; possibly the Columbus fleet. This is ‘cream of the crop’ for Muresque! It is deeply molded with multiple matte glazes and very dramatic. Imagine this framed and hung as art, or part of a fireplace installation. 16 1/4″ [...]
Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA 1925-1934 A California mission is depicted on this vintage Muresque tile. It has excellent, deeply molded details with earthy matte glaze colors. Can be framed in wood or iron or made to be part of an installation. 12″ long x 4″ tall x 5/8″ thick Great condition; very minor chips; signed. [...]
Kraftile Company, Niles, CA 1926-1997 Matte and satiny glazes cover this vintage tile with its floral motif. In addition to decorative faience tiles with Tunisian, Persian, Spanish and Moorish designs, the company also produced plainly glazed utilitarian tile. 5″ square x 1/2″ thick Very good condition Qty = 14 pcs $75 each
CALCO (California Clay Products), So. Gate, CA 1923-1932 These three vintage scenic tiles are spectacular and make an awesome set. The origin of the Calco pottery is mainly the story of one remarkable ceramist and tile maker, Rufus Keeler. He especially liked creating new glazes, rich and brilliant colors and he was deeply concerned with [...]
Walrich Pottery, Berkeley, CA 1922-1930 This beautiful tile depicts a sailing ship on the bay at sunset (most likely the San Francisco bay). Trees and greenery are in the foreground. This has a very three-dimensional feel and glossy glaze colors continue down the sides of the tile. Walrich was established by James Wall, who [...]
Batchelder, Pasadena, CA 1909-1928 Vintage relief tile has a leaf motif framed on the diagonal with birds in each corner. Deep matte blue is in the recessed areas. Batchelder moved his plant to Los Angeles in operated there from 1928-1932. 4″ square x 5/8″ thick Excellent condition; signed Qty = 1 $150
Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA 1909-1932 Here are two different Batchelder relief tiles featuring opposing birds. Both have nice details and matte glazing, one in deep teal and one in blue. Contact us with your preference. 4″ square x 5/8″ thick Great condition; signed Qty = 1 each $150 each
Catalina Pottery, Avalon, CA 1927-1937 This vintage tile has an intricate Aztec motif with an off-white satiny glaze. Because it was made with white clay instead of red, we date this sometime between 1932-1937. 5 7/8″ square x 1/2″ thick Good condition; has some tiny corner chips and minor surface wear; signed, never set. Qty [...]
Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA 1909-1932 We have a limited supply of Batchelder corbels on hand-here are four of them. Will be glad to provide more details and photos. Sold in pairs. In addition to corbels, we have archways, a 3-piece niche, 7-piece spandrel and other odds and ends. 4″ to 6″ Great condition [...]
Tudor Tile, Los Angeles, CA 1927-1939 A delightful scene is depicted on this vintage Tudor tile set in iron. A Mexican hombre sits near his campfire with either a full moon or setting sun. There are six satiny glazes on a smooth surface. The ironwork may be contemporary. 5 3/4″ square x 2 1/2″ tall [...]
Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA 1925-1934 An English Tudor-style cottage is depicted on this vintage tile. It is deeply moulded and has dark, matte glaze colors in deep green, tan and brown. Very well made with the workmanship that one would expect from Muresque. Notice all the detailing, such as the brick wall, the heart [...]
Kraftile Company, Niles, CA 1926-1997 This chunky border tile has a cool, repeating pattern with matte and satiny glazes. Use your imagination to create an interesting arrangement or simply place end to end. 6″ x 1″ wide x 1/2″ thick Excellent condition; never set Qty = 28 pcs $25 each
Malibu Potteries, Malibu, CA 1926-1932 This sweet little insert tile has four glossy glaze colors and a whimsical floral motif that almost looks like a bug! Would make a great paperweight. 2 3/4″ square x 3/4″ thick Excellent condition Qty = 1 $65
Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA 1909-1932 We have large quantities of Batchelder field tiles in a variety of sizes and shades; some bullnose. Good for repairs, fireplace/fountain installations etc. Available sizes are: 6×6, 6×4, 4×4, 4×2, 3×3, 3×2 and 2×2. $10-$50 each
Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA 1909-1932 Here is a sweet little insert tile with an image of a bird. It has smooth, matte glazing and a 3-dimensional bird motif. We were happy to acquire a box of this little gems! 1 3/4″ square x 3/4″ thick Excellent condition; never set Qty = 60 pcs $40 [...]
American Encaustic Tiling Co., Los Angeles, CA 1919-1933 Lovely floral motif has bright glossy glazes and a smooth surface. AET had a plant in Zanesville, OH as well as Hermosa Beach, CA where they made more colorful tiles. This tile can be seen in the Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles by Norman Karlson. [...]
American Encaustic Tiling Co., Los Angeles, CA 1919-1933 From AET’s plant on the West coast comes this pretty floral tile with Moorish influences. It has excellent color separation and a glossy finish. See this in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles, Region 6, page 26. 6″ square x 1/2″ thick Excellent condition; never [...]
