Batchelder Antique Mayan Tiles

On January 12, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 Here is an assortment of tiles we have on hand with Batchelder’s sought-after Mayan and Aztec face tiles.  All are deep relief, depression glazed in a variety of colors.   In addition to what is shown here, we have about a dozen more for sale.   Just contact us for [...]

Batchelder Landscape Tile

On January 12, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 One cannot live in Southern California without seeing the ever popular and ubiquitous Batchelder tile.  Installations can be seen on outdoor fountains, stairways, walkways and patios all over this area.   So many homes in Pasadena and Los Angeles have Batchelder fireplaces, regardless of the style of the home, from [...]

Hispano-Moresque Vintage Tile Set

On January 12, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Hispano-Moresque, Los Angeles, CA  1927-1932 This tile maker made many lovely tiles during their brief history.   This four-tile, tin-glazed set has a geometric pattern with Moorish influence.  Glossy glazes include turquoise, mustard, shades of tan/beige and off white.   The tiles can be laid out in a number of ways and be used for [...]

Batchelder Vintage Peacock Tile

On December 31, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 Peacocks were a popular motif among the old tile makers.  Here is one of Batchelder’s versions, with the majestic bird perched on a grapevine.  Lots of intricate 3-dimensional details and dark, matte glazing add to one’s attraction to this tile. 9″ x 6″ x 3/4″ thick Very good condition; have [...]

Batchelder Scenic Tile

On December 31, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 The rolling landscape is a pleasing subject found in many Batchelder tiles.  This tile has Arts & Crafts styling with simple details in the castle, trees, grounds and  rocks.  The matte medium-blue glaze in the recesses brings the scene to life with its 3-dimensional feel.  Perfect for fireplace surrounds, especially [...]

Cal Art Vent Tile

On December 28, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

California Art Tile Company, Richmond, CA  1922-1956 Decoratively perforated tiles were used for ventilator applications, typically with fireplace surrounds or along storefront wainscoting.  This vintage tile from Cal Art has nice, smooth glazing covering all the sides and a pretty floral motif. 6″ square x 1/2″ thick Great condition; never set Qty = 1 $125

Calco Vintage Border

On December 28, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Calco (California Clay Products), South Gate, CA  1923-1932 Bright, eye-catching pattern has 4 glossy glaze colors on this antique border tile.  It has a nice 3-dimensional feel and we have enough on hand for a small project. 6″ x 2″ x 1/2″ thick Good condition; varies per tile Qty = 18 $50 ea

Cal Art Flower

On December 24, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

California Art Tile Company, Richmond, CA  1922-1956 Sweet little vintage tile has a simple flower motif and glazed with soft earthy tones.  Has that classic “Cal Art” look, that any collector would recognize. 1  3/4″ square x 3/4″ thick Very good condition Qty = 9 $40 each

Cal Art Tile Framed Floral

On December 24, 2011, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

California Art Tile Co., Richmond, CA  1922-1956 Collectors love the distinctive glazes, skilled execution and wide variety of subjects of Cal Art tiles.  This vintage relief tile with polychrome glazes has a  lovely floral motif surrounded by a scrolled border.   Nicely framed in contemporary, hand made wrought iron and ready to hang.  We also [...]

Malibu Vintage Parrot Tile

On December 24, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Malibu Potteries, Malibu, CA  1926-1932 This antique tile is an excellent example of high-quality tile making by Malibu Potteries.  Matte polychrome glazes compliment the 3-dimensional design of opposing parrots .  Notice the wonderful details of leaves, berries, the double band and flowers in the corners. 6″ square x 1/2″ thick Very good condition; small back [...]

Taylor Vintage Tile Table

On December 23, 2011, in California Tiles, Tile Tables, by nancy

Taylor, Los Angeles, CA  1934-1938 Here is an exceptional eight-tile scenic panel set into an elaborately carved, scallop-edged revival-style table.  The French country dance scene is bordered with a musical score and lyrics in French (partially legible since some of the glaze on the lettering has rubbed off with age) and framed by a beautiful [...]

Dec-Art Border Tile

On December 23, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Decorative Art, Hawthorne, CA  1927-1933 This vintage border tile has an Art Deco style motif.  It is actually a decal that is applied to the white clay body and fired.  The glossy colors are pale blue, white and taupe. 6″ x 3″ x 1/4″ thick Very good condition Qty = 4 $40 each

Dec-Art Vintage Tile

On December 23, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Decorative Arts, Hawthorne, CA  1927-1933 Dec-Art tiles made decal or transfer tiles in a wide range of styles, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Native American and cartoon.  This antique tile has bright colors, with a mixture of glossy and matte, with a repeating pattern made up of many styles. 6″ square x 1/4″ thick Very good [...]

Gladding McBean Vintage Lion Tile

On December 16, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Gladding McBean, Los Angeles, CA  1890-present A lion rampant is depicted on this chunky antique tile from GMB.  Recessed glazing contrasts well with the terra cotta.  The heraldic lion was a popular theme among the old tile makers. 2  3/4″ square x 1″ thick Very good condition; signed; never set Qty = 1 $65

Batchelder Hunter/Prey Tile

On December 15, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 This depression-glazed, matte relief tile depicts a hunter spearing his prey.
  Both the archaic design and the intensity of the depicted emotion emphasize the Medieval inspiration, an influential design source for Batchelder and other Arts & Crafts era artisans.  
Shown is brilliant chartreuse, but we also have dark green, cobalt [...]

Kraftile Geometric Tile

On December 15, 2011, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

Kraftile Company, Niles (Fremont), CA  1926-1997 This Persian-inspired cuerda seca tile has Kraftile’s characteristic thick, opaque glaze and bold black resist lines.
  The intricate, polychrome design stands out brilliantly against the crisp, white ground.  See this tile in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles, Region 5, page 149. 5″ square x 1/2″ thick Very [...]

Kraftile Assorted Vintage Tiles

On December 15, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Kraftile Company, Niles, CA  1926-1997 Kraftile made many artistic and colorful tiles, especially during their early years.  Many installations are still around, especially in the San Francisco area.  Here is an assortment of 4″ antique tiles with bright, glossy glaze colors.   Contact us for individual photos or information. 4  3/8″ square x 1/2″ thick [...]

GMB Franciscan Subway Tile

On December 14, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Gladding McBean, Los Angeles, CA  1890-present Franciscan was a line of tile and pottery made by GMB in the 1950′s and later.  This brightly-glazed yellow subway tile has a glossy finish.   Use your imagination with these tiles; back splash, border for scenic installation or tile table, combine with other vintage tiles to cover a [...]

P.T.&P. Mid-Century Tile

On December 14, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Pacific Tile & Porcelain, Los Angeles, CA  1936-1960 Here is a unique “Ramona” tile from PT&P with a creamy beige ‘lollipop’ design.  The background is made up of tiny white x’s on green.   Finish is semi-gloss.  Check out our other mid-century tile from this same company. 6″ square x 3/8″ thick Very good condition; [...]

Pacific Vintage Mid-Century Tile

On December 14, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Pacific Tile & Porcelain, Los Angeles, CA  1936-1960 White starburst motif is centered on this old tile with modern styling.  From PT&P’s “Ramona” line, the deep green semi-gloss glaze has tiny white x’s creating an interesting background. 6″ square x 3/8″ thick Great condition; signed Qty = 1 $50

Tropico Vintage Tea Tile

On December 14, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Tropico Potteries, Glendale, CA  1920-1923 We don’t see many signed tiles from Tropico as they were only in business for a very short time before they were purchased by Gladding McBean.  This octagon tea tile has five glossy glaze colors arranged in a pinwheel-like pattern, with a sixth color on the edges. 6″ x 1/2″ [...]

Gladding McBean Vintage Tile

On December 14, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Gladding McBean, Los Angeles, CA  1890-present Glossy glazes in black and bright yellow cover this antique tile and drip down the sides like frosting over the rich, red clay.   It has a smooth surface, an interesting geometric pattern and the colors bleed into each other.   We estimate this tile to have been made [...]

Vintage California Art Tile Panel

On December 10, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

California Art Tile, Richmond, CA  1922-1956 The artistry of the deeply dimensional relief molding in this rare, 4-tile set is evident in the intricate twists and twines of the branches and the surprising touches like a leaf gently overlapping the edge of a plump fruit. The pomegranate tree is set in a handsome, classical volute [...]

Woolenius Bracket Tile

On December 10, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Woolenius Tile Company, Berkeley, CA  1927-1939 Richly detailed antique tile made to be used as a bracket for anchoring shelves etc.  
The nice scroll motif, in glossy black was perhaps made to look like wrought iron.  
And notice the black leaf-like detailing accented by tan glazing.
  Use your imagination to display this unique tile. 15″ [...]

Claycraft Vintage Yucca Tile

On December 10, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 High desert landscaping is the subject of this antique Claycraft tile.  A flowering yucca plant dominates the scene with mountains in the background.   It has Claycraft’s typical matte glazes  in natural colors. 7  3/4″ x 3  3/4″ x 3/4″ thick Great condition; never set, signed. Qty = 1 [...]