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 [...]

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 [...]

Calco History & Photos

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

CALCO (California Clay Products), So. Gate, CA  1923-1932 California Clay Products, or CALCO, was one of the most marvelous tile makers in the country.  There were many styles that were produced, such as deeply molded rectangular tiles of cranes, peacocks, trees or missions that were either glazed in one color or several.  Another style was [...]

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

Calco Dutch Girl Tile

On September 21, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Calco (California Clay Products), South Gate, CA  1923-1932 Very adorable raised-line vintage Calco tile depicting a Dutch girl looking at a sailboat on the sea.  It has wonderful thick, drippy glaze with a Grueby-like texture in six matte colors.   Rufus Bradley Keeler, a remarkable ceramist and tile maker  was the founder of Calco.   [...]

Calco Griffins Rampant Tile

On July 30, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Calco, South Gate, CA  1923-1932 Here is a crisply carved and delicately incised relief tile in standout polychrome glazes in a combination of matte and vellum finishes paired with smooth and rougher textures.  There is a real treasure trove of examples of Calco’s singular ceramic artistry packed into this one tile!  The design of two [...]

Calco Sunburst Tile

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

Calco (California Clay Products), South Gate, CA  1923-1932 This is a stunning tile listed in the Decorative Tile Inserts section of a period Calco catalogue as design C13 and “Made Only in Polychrome Color”.  The deep relief tile has a design and jewel-tone palette reminiscent of a Gothic stained glass window. The motif is an [...]

Calco Mottled Field Tile

On April 23, 2011, in California Tiles, Field Tiles, by nancy

Calco (CA Clay Products), South Gate, CA  1923-1932 This wonderful field tile from Calco has amazing thick mottled glazing on an uneven tile surface.  There are shades of brown blending with blue and green creating a desirable effect.   We have enough to cover approximately 10 sq.ft. 6″ square x 3/4″ thick Good condition; varies [...]

Calco Mayan Face Tile

On March 30, 2011, in California Tiles, Norman Karlson Collection, by nancy

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 [...]

Calco Border Tile

On March 29, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Calco, South Gate, CA  1923-1932 This polychrome, cuerda seca border tile as a dynamic, Art Deco-inspired design.  
It is decorated in the clear, brilliantly-colored glazes that confirm this pottery’s pre-eminent place in ceramics history.
  Someone erroneously penciled D&M on the back, but one can see part of the CALCO lettering on the bottom. 4  1/4″ [...]

Calco Flower Tile

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

CALCO, California Clay Products, South Gate, CA
1923-1932 This adorable relief tile in a glossy finish depicts a wild rose in buttery cream glaze with a bright yellow center.  
The flower really pops out against the shiny black glaze.  This legendary pottery’s quality is evident in the rich glazing and the high level of naturalistic detail [...]

Calco Hand-Decorated Tile

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

Very sweet high-glazed Calco floral tile, signed.

Calco Castle Tile

On January 21, 2011, in California Tiles, by nancy

Stunning tile from CALCO with magnificent satiny glaze.

CALCO Floral-Leaf Quatrefoil Vintage Tile

On January 21, 2011, in California Tiles, by Administrator

Stunning relief tile decorated with a stylized design of a veined leafquatrefoil with a central floral.