Ceramic Art

I’ve been noticing lately in certain design magazines some rooms were featured with walls that are covered with the traditional Portuguese tiles.

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Azulejos is the Portuguese signature tile; they were used in the past to cover palaces, churches, homes, and public spaces. It has been the Portuguese method of surface covering for both interiors and exteriors since the fifteenth century.

Tile panels saved from a sixteenth century church

Imagery in tiles has been around since the ancient times of Babylon. Warrior images on tiles were used as a way to intimidate enemies. The Portuguese voyagers, during their explorations to the East including Africa discovered the glazed Spanish and Moorish tiles. The Portuguese later produced and added their own touch on the polished stone by depicting different designs and pictorial scenes that reflected their own culture.
These decorative tiles are beautiful, easy to clean, and reflect light nicely. I can picture them in rustic interiors…

The Portuguese tiles were already installed in this bathroom when designer Joe Nye completed the job

Such a wonderful water reflection!

Photo 1,Villa Decor by Betty Lou Phillips, photography by Dan Piassick

Photo 3, courtesy of Veranda, photography by Carlos Domenech

Photo 4, courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by Luca Trovato

Photo 5, Alberto Pinto Classics, designer Alberto Pinto