American Encaustic Tile

On December 27, 2012, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

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 Moorish Tile

On December 27, 2012, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

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 [...]

Gladding McBean Floral Tile

On December 27, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Gladding McBean, Los Angeles, CA  1890-present Here is a pretty floral/geometric pattern on this vintage talc-bodied, dust-pressed tile from GMB’s Hermosa line.    This line got its name when GMB took over the Hermosa Beach plant from American Encaustic in the early 1930′s.   This tile has satiny glaze colors on a smooth surface.   [...]

Muresque Vintage Mayan Tile

On December 21, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA  1925-1934 An image of ancient Mayan ruins is pictured on this very well-made vintage tile.   Notice all the details on the surface of the structure, above the door and even the rubble in the doorway.  Matte glazes add to the overall feel of this fantastic tile.  This rare, custom-made tile [...]

AET Field Tile/Turquoise

On December 20, 2012, in California Tiles, Field Tiles, by nancy

American Encaustic Tiling Co., Los Angeles, CA  1919-1933 This field tile with its talc body comes from AET’s LA plant that was in Hermosa Beach.  Lovely shade of light turquoise with a hint of jade green.  We have enough on hand for a small project; about 13-14 sq. ft. 4  1/4″ square x 1/4″ thick [...]

Batchelder Field Tile Assortment

On December 19, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angles, CA  1909-1932 We have enough vintage Batchelder field tiles for any number of projects.   Choose from 6×6, 4×6, 4×4, 2×4, 3×3 and 2×2.   We also have bullnose in the 6×6, 4×4 and 3×3 sizes.   Nice variety of glazes;  brown, green, blue and beige.   If you need help designing [...]

Claycraft Single Sconces

On December 19, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angles, CA  1921-1939 Here is a fabulous pair of mission relief wall sconces by Claycraft.    Framed by tall pillars and topped with decorative scroll work, the Spanish style mission is full of details and fine workmanship.  Multi matte glazes add to the appeal.    Sold individually. 15″ x 6″ x 2 [...]

Claycraft Vintage Wall Sconces

On December 19, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 Just in!   We are thrilled to offer these wonderful Claycraft sconces for sale.  One depicts a cottage scene, a mission on another and a Spanish home on the single sconce.   Claycraft Potteries ranks among the premier tile manufacturers of the Golden Era.  Their artistic images, their superb [...]

Santa Monica Brick Floral Tile

On December 18, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Santa Monica Brick, Santa Monica, CA   1923-1940 A stylized flower is depicted on this vintage California tile.  Made with raised lines separating the five glossy/matte glazes. 7  3/4″ square x 1/2″ thick Good condition; has some surface scratching Qty = 1 $250

Muresque Custom Tile

On December 18, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA  1925-1934 This is a one-of-a-kind tile that came directly from the estate of the Muir family, founders of Muresque.   It is the face and neck of a woman, made with white clay and covered with a matte terra cotta glaze.  Incised on the back “WFM (for William F. Muir) Fresno [...]

Muresque Patio Scene

On December 8, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA  1925-1934 A patio scene is depicted on this vintage Muresque tile.  There are many great details, like the tile roof, cacti, awning details, floor tiles and more.  Self framed with earthy matte glaze colors. 4″ square x 1/2″ thick Excellent condition Qty = 1 $260

Claycraft Tree Tile

On December 8, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 This vintage, self-framed tile has Claycraft’s fine workmanship and serene landscape scene.  The tree in the foreground is very detailed, with rocks and grass, and in the distance a lake and mountains. 3  3/4″ square x 3/4″ thick Excellent condition; signed Qty = 4 $250

Claycraft Castle Tile

On December 8, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 Vintage Claycraft tile has a 3-dimensional castle against a blue, textured sky.  In the foreground, there are rocks and greenery next to a long walled road.   Matte glazes are muted shades, including blue, green, pink with beige and tan.  Self framed. 3  3/4″ square x 3/4″ thick Great [...]

Cal Art Knight Tile

On December 6, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

California Art Tile Company, Richmond, CA  1922-1956 Many fine details are evident on this deeply molded, vintage art tile.  A knight on horseback dominates this scenic tile, with a castle in the background and the sun on the horizon.   Self framed with matte glazing.  Perfect for a fireplace installation, can be framed in wood [...]

Handcraft Leaf Tile

On December 6, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Handcraft Tile, San Jose, CA  1926-present Here is a unique vintage tile in the shape of a leaf and decorated with a raised leaf motif.   Handcraft tiles are rustic and irregular, mostly matte terra cotta with an engobe glaze. 9  1/2″  x 5  1/2″  x 5/8″ thick Great condition; minor wear on side edges [...]

Vintage Arequipa Tile

On December 6, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Arequipa Pottery, Fairfax, CA  1911-1957 A pretty floral and leaf motif covers this tile from Northern California and made under the direction of Frederick Hurten Rhead.  Arequipa Pottery, named after a Peruvian city and meaning ‘place of peace’, was created to teach ceramics to patients at the sanitarium for young ladies.  This is a raised-line [...]

Helen Greenleaf Lane Tile

On December 6, 2012, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

Helen Greenleaf Lane, Upland, CA  c.1920-1929 One of four talented sisters, Helen Greenleaf Lane made jewelry, pottery and tile and studied with potter Glen Lukins at USC.  This signed tile depicts a little bird sitting on a branch among the flowers.  It has a glossy finish with grazing.   It comes from Norman Karlson’s collection, [...]

Calco Hex Field Tile

On December 4, 2012, in California Tiles, Field Tiles, by nancy

Calco (California Clay Products), So. Gate, CA  1923-1932 Frosting-like glaze drips down over this vintage Calco hexagon tile.  It has a slightly textured surface with pale mustard in a matte finish.  We have enough on hand for a small project. 4″ across x 1/2″ thick Very good condition; varies per tile Qty = 70 pcs [...]

Taylor Floral Tile

On December 4, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

Taylor Tile Company, Los Angeles, CA  1934-1938 Taylor produced some great tiles in their short history.  Here is an example of vintage cuerda seca tile with six matte glaze colors and a lovely floral motif.  Although this is part of a repeating pattern, this tile can easily stand on its own. 6″ square x 1/2″ [...]

Batchelder Insert Tile

On December 1, 2012, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

  Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 Matte blue glazing covers this deeply-molded, vintage tile.  The centered flower is surrounded by a band of dots with stylized leaves in the corners.  This is from Norman Karlson’s large tile collection; a similar tile can be seen in his Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles, Region 6, page 75. [...]

Taylor Framed Panel

On November 30, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Taylor Tile Company, Los Angeles, CA  1934-1938 Matte glazes on Taylor panels are very sought after among collectors.  This outstanding, six-tile scene depicts a sailing vessel near the coastline, with mountains in the background.   There are seven matte glazes and nice detailing.  Framed in wood and ready to hang.  This was a tile table [...]

Vintage Cement Paver

On November 27, 2012, in California Tiles, by nancy

California Spanish Tile Co., Culver City, CA  c.1920-1940 Squares within squares cover this vintage cement tile that could be used as a paver, floor or wall tile.   It has three-dimensional ridges with brick-colored cement on the surface.  Notice the triangular pattern that is more evident when viewed at an angle.  We have a small [...]

Gladding McBean Fish Tile Table

On November 23, 2012, in California Tiles, Tile Tables, by nancy

Gladding McBean, Los Angeles, CA  1890-present There are multiple satiny glaze colors on this 10″ vintage tile from Gladding McBean.  Nice detailing and fine workmanship.   The old iron table base has intricate, finely wrought decorations, such as in the corners of the table. 25  1/4″ tall, 10″ square Very good condition; have the corner [...]

Batchelder Large Vintage Panels

On November 23, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 We are excited to offer these majestic, museum-quality panels with great Arts & Crafts styling and wonderful subject matters.  These are the best we’ve ever had!    Words cannot describe these large vintage tiles so we’ll be glad to talk to anyone interested in these beauties.    More photos and [...]

California Scenic Tiles

On November 21, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

These photos contain wonderful scenic tiles in our display case from some of the best tile makers of the Golden Age:  Batchelder, Cal Art, Claycraft, Muresque, Handcraft, Alhambra Kilns.   Contact us for individual photos, sizes and prices as many of these tiles will not have an individual listing.