​Tiles, fascinating images on rectangular pieces of clay. Approx. 5 x 5 inches. What do you use them for and why have they become such desirable collectibles?

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Origin of tiles
At the beginning of the 17th century, tile factories emerge in several places in the Netherlands. During this period, colored, polychrome, tiles were fired. It was the period when the Dutch began to trade as a seafaring nation. From 1620, blue-white tiles also began to appear under the influence of blue Chinese porcelain. World famous is the Delft blue, which is still made today. The images on tiles are a period view of life at that time.

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What were tiles used for?

Tiles had a very practical function in the 17th and 18th centrury. They functioned as wall coverings in damp rooms, such as in kitchens and basements. Tiles were also placed along baseboards or around fireplaces. Sometimes all the walls of a room were decorated with tiles.

 

Developments in tile production

Two centuries after the start and flourishing of tile production came the decline. Manual tile making was replaced by machine making of tiles. Other ways of building made houses more resistant to moisture. A new form of wall covering entered the market: wallpaper.

 

Collecting of tiles

Starting in the 20th century, the interest in antique tiles increased again. Not because rooms in houses are damp. On the contrary, tiles have become works of art eagerly collected by enthusiasts.

 

Inheritiles

In 2022, I founded Inheritiles and started as a dealer in antique tiles. I inherited the love of tiles from my father. He collected antique tiles and discovered the magic that emanates from those fired pieces of clay. They are little paintings with representations from the 17th and 18th centuries. If you own an antique tile, you have history within reach.  

 

Interested to purchase an antique tile? Contact me via this button.