American Encaustic Tiling Co., Los Angeles, CA 1919-1933 This very beautiful set of 3 contoured border tiles were made in the Los Angeles location of AET (Zanesville, OH). They are deeply molded and have very striking glossy glaze colors. Originally made to be on the top row of an installation, these tiles are unique [...]
Architectural Tiling Co., Keyport, NJ 1912-1960′s This raised-line tile depicts a bold Tudor Rose with a robin’s egg blue center. The creative juxtaposition of black and mustard against a brilliant cobalt blue background makes a delightful composition. See it in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia of American Art Tile, Region 2, P.133. 6″ square x 1/2″ [...]
American Encaustic Tiling Co., Zanesville, OH 1875-1935 Charming vintage AET printed transfer tile depicting the nursery rhyme, Baa-Baa Black Sheep. Very collectible and can be framed or installed to brighten a child’s room, or makes a sweet gift. See this tile in the Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles, Region 3 by Norman Karlson. 6″ square [...]
Mosaic Tile Co., Zanesville, OH 1894-1972 This is a decal or transfer tile made by transferring the paper image onto the pre-fired ceramic, which is then fired again. The windmill is the prominent feature, with a sailboat in the background, and fleur de lys in the corners. The original paper label is affixed to the [...]
Flint Faience & Tile Co., , Flint, MI 1921-1933 Attractive framed 6″ tile from Flint Faience, known for their high-quality tiles. This raised-line tile depicts a complex and elegant medallion design. The cerulean, indigo, mustard and ochre glazes are punctuated by black and cream. Nicely framed in an Arts & Crafts style wood frame with [...]
Flint Faience & Tile Co., Flint, MI 1921-1933 Flint Faience was founded as a subsidiary of the A.C. Spark Plug Company and General Motors. Flint tiles were of exceedingly high quality and were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and used in prestigious installations, including the Presidential Palace of Peru. This tile depicts a [...]
Calco (California Clay Products), So. Gate, CA 1923-1932 Calco made a wide variety of tiles and here is one example of their work. This 3-dimensional tile depicts their version of a Mayan face. It has matte buff glaze with a rough, pitted feel. This same tile is shown in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia of American Art [...]
Enfield Pottery, Enfield, PA 1906-1930 Wonderful vintage Enfield Neo-Classical tile with heavily molded angel. The glaze on the creamy-white angel is highlighted with clay showing through, and the angel stands out nicely against the mottled green. The tile has a very hand-made look, including the shelf along the top. Notice the original Enfield label is [...]
Hamilton Tile Works, Hamilton, OH 1883-1901 This is a handsome and very old hunting dog tile from Hamilton. The high-glazed indigo is accented by some of the white clay showing through. Notice the nice details, such as the acorns and oak leaves in the corners, and the reeds inside the circle. This is the tile [...]
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 1910-1967 The ceramics department at the University of North Dakota School of Mines produced pots and tiles of superlative quality. This matte finish tile is decorated with crisply incised foliate design around a central eight-point star. The fawn-colored glaze in a soft, vellum finish is most appealing. This [...]
Matt Morgan Art Pottery, Cincinnati, OH 1881-1884 Very rare and collectible Matt Morgan tile over 126 years old. This glossy relief tile’s exquisitely executed classical rosette and acanthus design is showcased by the rich, gloss finish and warm cream glaze. Crazing adds character and interest. Herman Mueller, who later formed Mueller Mosaic Co., was [...]
Handcraft Tile, San Jose, CA 1926-present A Mayan-inspired cross glyph is depicted on this antique Handcraft tile. Made from red clay, this low relief engobe tile was finished in a warm, terra cotta slip glaze. This can be seen in both of Norman Karlson’s American Art Tile books. 3 3/4″ square x 1/2″ thick Great [...]
Abingdon Art Pottery, Abingdon, IL 1934-1950 Abingdon made a variety of high quality porcelain ware including vases and figurines. This is a rare example of their limited tile output, was made in 1937 or 1938 and is called “Geisha”. The composition of an artful arrangement of figure, bamboo, screen, plus wood floor glazed in a [...]
Beaver Falls Art Tile Company, Beaver Falls, PA 1886-1927 The founder of Beaver Falls, Francis W. Walker experimented with non-crazing pastel glazes. This tile could very well be the result of his work. Although hard to see from the photo, there is a shiny glass-like finish over the clay, with a few “bubbles” visible just [...]
California Art Tile Co., Richmond, CA 1922-1956 This is a very attractive, deeply molded antique tile from Norman Karlson’s collection. It has fine matte glazing of dusty blue/gray and buff. Lots of great details in the main floral motif plus the border. As stated in his Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles, “California Art Tile [...]
American Encaustic Tiling Co., Zanesville, OH 1875-1935 This transfer-printed tile trivet’s design is from a set produced by AET in the 1890′s as part of a series of tiles depicting illustrations from Walter Crane’s book of English nursery rhymes, “Baby’s Opera”. This is a commemorative piece celebrating the Pittsburg Tile Industry Field Day of July [...]
Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI 1903-present This is a delightful cuenca tile depicting a whimsical sea creature or dragon. It’s velvety glaze in a rich, dark sea green overlaps the edges. Pewabic has a long design tradition of crafting tiles that feature beautifully modeled creatures and this is a wonderful example of that legacy. See [...]
American Encaustic Tiling Co., Zanesville, OH 1875-1935 Handsome antique relief tile depicting a clipper ship in full sail. The Art Deco design in vellum glazes of soft black and oxblood has a spirited and dynamic use of line. Makes a wonderful gift of a collector of ships. See this tile in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia [...]
Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI 1903-present Ella Peters (1901-1994) was employed at Pewabic Pottery as founder Mary Chase Stratton’s assistant/secretary. When she retired in 1969 after 30 years with the company, she and her husband Ira, using original molds and glaze formulas, continued to make pieces out of their home. This relief tile was created by [...]
Wheeling Tile Co., Wheeling, W. VA 1913-1960 Wheeling Tile Co. of West Virginia was the producer of most of New York City’s distinctive white metro tiles. This signed cuenca border tile in a matte finish depicts a Spanish Galleon flanked by seagulls. The crisp modeling and rich jade green and black accents make a [...]
Adorable vintage AET signed tile with winged figure playing the cymbals.
