Harding Black Framed Panel

On May 16, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 [...]

Claycraft Vintage Tree/Mission Tile

On April 25, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 Sequoia Tree Tile

On April 25, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 Macaw Tile Panel

On April 23, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 Vintage Ship Tile

On April 12, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 Mission Tile

On April 12, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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. [...]

CALCO Large Scenic Triptych

On April 5, 2013, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

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 [...]

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 [...]

Antique Dutch Geometric Panel

On December 13, 2012, in Norman Karlson Collection, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Made in Holland, circa 1890-1900 Bright glazes have a glossy finish on this antique 8-tile panel from Holland.   It has a pretty floral/geometric pattern with a smooth surface.  Each tile measures 5  1/8″.  Use this as a focal point in a back splash, make a tile table, etc. 20  3/4″ x 10  1/4″ x [...]

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 [...]

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.

Claycraft English Village Panel

On November 6, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Claycraft Potteries, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 This amazing 3-tile panel depicts a wonderful English village with thatch-roofed cottages and lots of lovely details.  This is a perfect example of Claycraft’s fine workmanship and attention to detail.  The blues and greens pop out against the natural colors of the  matte glazes.  Whether framed or installed in [...]

Muresque Vintage Waterfall Tile

On November 6, 2012, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Muresque Tiles, Oakland, CA  1925-1934 Incredible workmanship is evident on this beautiful scenic tile from Muresque.  This 3-dimensional tile has six matte glazes, all bright and crisp, and wonderful detailing, such as the rocks in the water and the logs in the foreground.   This tiles comes form the estate of the Muir family, the [...]

Santa Monica Brick Iris Tile Panel

On March 14, 2012, in Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Santa Monica Brick Company, Santa Monica, CA  1923-1940 A floral motif of irises decorates this vintage 12-tile panel from Santa Monica Brick.   Soft, matte pastel glaze colors are pretty against the creamy off-white background.    Use your imagination to create an installation for this lovely panel, either indoors or out. 17″ x 12  3/4″ [...]

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 [...]

Harikan Swan Panel

On November 26, 2011, in Norman Karlson Collection, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Harikan Art Products, Matawan, NJ  1928-1941 Rare and delightful four-tile panel from Harikan.  Harry Kahn, a master ceramist, founded this ceramics studio, crafting refined tube-lined art tiles and panels.  This set depicts a charming swan and lily pond motif.  It’s a great example of Harikan’s precise tube lining technique.  The creamy smooth glazes in cheerful, [...]

Portuguese Baroque-Style Tile Panel

On November 26, 2011, in Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Made in Portugal, latter 18th century Since the Portuguese government restricted the export of antique tile, opportunities to own amazing panels like this are fast disappearing. This thirty-tile, blue and white, hand painted majolica set is over 250 years old.  These types of tiles are called “azulejos pombalinos” and refer to the Portuguese prime minister [...]

Claycraft Iron-Framed Mission Scene

On November 19, 2011, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Claycraft, Los Angeles, CA  1921-1939 Wonderful antique Claycraft scenic 8″ x 12″ tile with new iron frame.  The scene is an old Spanish mission with very soft matte colors and lots of great 3-dimensional details.  In addition to the cactus in the garden and trees in the background, notice all the vegetation, including a flowering [...]

Harding Black Madonna & Child Panel

On July 20, 2011, in American Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Harding Black, San Antonio, TX  C1940-1990 Revered San Antonio, Tx glaze master, ceramist and studio potter, Harding Black created this circa 1940′s molded, hand-pressed 12-tile panel depicting a tender Madonna & Child.  The classic Spanish-Colonial design is executed in vibrant, polychrome vellum glazes on a thick, red earthenware body.  Here we see an impressive example [...]

Large Iron-Framed Malibu Tile

On May 28, 2011, in Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Malibu Potteries, Malibu, CA   1926-1932 This is a fantastic arrangement of Malibu Potteries tiles, done with real artistic flair and taste.  The center tile, measuring 11  1/4″ square,  is illustrated as #C39  in a period catalog and depicts a figure dressed in folkloric robes flanked by tall, exotic plants (possible flowering agave). The red [...]

AET Panel-Woman with Dog

American Encaustic Tiling Co., Zanesville, OH  1875-1935 Remarkable vintage panel by AET consisting of six 6×6 tiles.  There are so many wonderful details to catch the eye, especially the overall design where one is viewing the outdoor scene thru an archway.  The female figure, sitting on a rock among the trees, is lovingly petting the [...]

Batchelder Peacock Arch

On May 19, 2011, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

Batchelder, Los Angeles, CA  1909-1932 Exceptional and very desirable set of antique, matte engobe-finish Batchelder relief tiles forming a pointed arch. These tiles would have been originally intended to decorate a fireplace or an archway opening. The central keystone is an exquisite design of two birds, probably peahens, perched amidst a swirl of foliate arabesques. [...]

D & M 4-Tile Floral Set

On May 12, 2011, in California Tiles, Special Tiles and Panels, by nancy

D & M Tile Company, Los Angeles, CA  1928-1939 Beautiful multi-colored 4-tile panel has five glaze colors with a semi-gloss finish.  A variety of flowers and leaves are framed nicely by the orange and black border.   Among the hundreds of installations, their tiles were used at The Mission Inn in Riverside, Scotty’s Castle in [...]