Anyone else interested in Dutch tile?

16 years ago

Hi Forum,

I thought I would share my favorite collectible with you. I've been going to Holland every year since the mid-80's. It wasn't long before I noticed the tiles that have been in use in Dutch households for centuries being sold in fine antique shops. These beautiful relics were once used in the most mundane ways. They were found all over the kitchens, on fireplace surrounds, even as baseboards. I've amassed quite a nice collection over the years. They are so creatively individual and so beautifully simple. Most measure less than 6"x6", so they don't take much space. Although they've gone up in price over the years, they are still an affordable antique on the whole.

It's a fascinating niche. To hold something that was handpainted and fired three or four hundred years ago sets my imagination burning. Most of my collection comes from the 17th and 18th centuries, but I have one very special tile from the late 1500's/early 1600's. I also have a few examples of early 20th century Porceleyne Fles, as well as some stunning tiles from the the Art Nouveau and Deco period.

I love tile as a medium, and the Dutch really got it right.

Steven

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Comments (6)

lindac
16 years ago
I live near a very Dutch community and they display and sell some very lovely new tiles...Porceleyne Fles among them...but I don't think i have ever noticed any old ones.
How about some pictures of your collection?
Linda C
daesaflgatorfan
16 years ago
Dutch tiles are pretty, aren't they? I want to go there someday.
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Steveningen
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks. Yes, I'll make sure to post some pix of my collection (I just need to carve out a little time to take some decent photos).

Steven
Steveningen
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's a few shots from my collection.

Everyone is familiar with the Delft blue and white, I'm sure. Here are two good examples. There are from about the same period, late 17th/early 18th century:

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This tile is the oldest in my collection, dated to right about 1580. It has had some major repair work (but so has Joan Rivers). It's still a fairly valuable piece due to scarcity:

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This is a very nice polychrome tile from 1600-1630:

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The Dutch got beautifully creative during the art nouveau/art deco periods.

And here's a nice example of a Porceleyne Fles tile. I've never had it dated, but I'm guessing turn of the 19th century:

{{gwi:595381}}

I'm no great authority on these tiles (I know just enough to be a danger to my savings account when I spelunk on e-bay). But they really are fun to collect and study. Hope you enjoyed.

Steven
triciae
16 years ago
Steven,

Thank you so much for posting pictures of your collection. They are beautiful! Don't you just wish they could talk?

My favorite is the 1580...probably because I loved your comment on Joan Rivers! Were it not for your comment, I would have liked the polychrome the best.

/tricia
triciae
16 years ago
Steven,

I've been thinking about your tiles & wondering...

Are they similar to American decorated stoneware in their collectability? What I mean is...does the subject matter affect value? With stoneware, the heirarchy of decoration seems to be geometrics, florals, animals (birds, deer, lions), & people. Same with the tiles assuming condition, age, etc. are equal?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge of an interesting art form.

/tricia

Anyone else interested in Dutch tile?

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Anyone else interested in Dutch tile?

Comments (6)

lindac

daesaflgatorfan

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