  

Why I Still Love Blue Dutch Delft Tile

by Emmi Micallef September 15, 2016

Spending some time in Amsterdam this past summer, I saw the ubiquitous delftware bowls, plates and mugs. Commercialization to the extreme, tourists seemed to be buying them perhaps for a fond memory of their trip. One bowl here, one plate there...I was not impressed.

The reason for my discontent came to me afterward, while researching Delft Tile for this blog.

According to historian Caiger-Smith, "Some regard Delftware from about 1750 onward as artistically inferior...little trace of feeling or originality remained...and at the end of the 18th century - the Delftware potteries began to go out of business."

This made sense to me for my eye was always drawn to those Delft tiles during the Dutch Golden Age during the early 17th century. This was when the Dutch East India Company, having a lively trade with the East, imported millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain. It was the Chinese workmanship and attention to detail that impressed so many where only the richest could afford these early imports.

17th century Delftware pottery, Pushkin Museum, Russia

This vase is found in the Pushkin Museum, Russia as a representation of early fine Delftware imitating fine Chinese porcelain circa 1680.

The early Dutch potters began to imitate the Chinese porcelain - with acute attention to detail and artistry provoking emotions of joy and fond remembrance of life living in Amsterdam during it's Golden Age.

Antique Delft Tile

As I ruminate this time period and the Delft potters paintings, I conclude how appealing to me, this idea, that authentic 17th century life in Amsterdam was captured and fired onto hand made porcelain tiles. No archaeologist needed to understand what a slice of life was like during this time period...which seems to me tranquil and idyllic. Observing children at play or the numerable ships coming into port - artists retold seemingly happy stories unfolding before them.

I also am amused that Delft tiles at this time where of course for the rich...adorning palaces and great kitchens...

Antique Delft Tile

This photo is the kitchen of the Amalienburg, Nymphenburg Palace...and shall I bring your attention to the hexagon terra cotta tiles? Antique French hexagon terra cotta tiles, perhaps?

Antique Delft Tiles

This photo above is an antique Delft tile installation of a swimming pool in the same palace.

antique delft tiles

And this room is found in the Chateau de Groussay, Montfort near Paris with an installation of 10,000 antique Delft tiles.

The following photo below is one of my favorite for it's artistry and color of the antique Delft tile...

antique delft tile

which happens to be a toilet in the Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.

Here is a photo of a fireplace...an installation found in the home of...

antique delft tile

Victor Hugo...in his dining room, Hauteville House, Guernesey 1860.

On our trip to Amsterdam this summer, walking through Rembrandt's house...

Antique Delft Tile in Rembrant's house

Rembrandt installed a Delft Tile baseboard.

And finally, this wonderful 17th century historic kitchen in the Hospice Comtesse, Lille France.

antique delft tile

Please note the antique Belgian bluestone flooring and the antique terra cotta bricks in the fireplace. It never ceases to amaze me how lasting and beautiful there historic decorative materials are....

But onto my second point - that these 17th century Delft tiles also found themselves in humble dwellings - like this old farmhouse interior in Hoogland near Utrecht.

Antique Delft Tile

Or this classic farmhouse in Amsterdam where the yellow wall marries so beautifully with the blue delft tile ships. I imagine this farmhouse is near one of the busy shipping ports or maybe even a ship captain's home?

Blue and White Delft Tile Ships

But I cannot help continue to ponder deeper why I am drawn to Delft tile, aside from it's historical perspective. Perhaps it's the blue glaze. Rolling with this idea. I researched the color blue and from a psychological perspective, "the color blue reduces stress, creates a sense of calmness, relaxation and order...it is also considered a nostalgic and most universally liked color."

Yes - I can understand this. But there is something more. I have concluded that when I observe an entire wall, or room for that matter, of finely painted Delft tiles - the juxtaposition of the tiles, each telling it's own story, communicates charmingly with it's neighbor. This in turn creates a larger narrative which makes my imagination soar. (This is a good thing...) Following this - the intricateness of the paintings become interconnected as a final abstract form - essentially creating larger geometric patterns that imposes upon a room a grander scale of visual delight.

Phew! Who ever thought so much about Delft tile??? Well, that would be me - and it began when I was a child sitting in some sort of tea parlor. It was a sunny day - I recall white trim and delft tiles reflecting into my vision from every corner of the room. I was mesmerized - certainly one of "those" moments frozen in time as if it were yesterday.

When I began working with François in 2000, I could not stop dreaming about painting my own Delft tile collection. I wanted to, perhaps, relive this Golden age of Amsterdam where life seemed endlessly charming and idyllic.

Delft Tile

antique delft tiles

As I look back at my work - which took, may I say, years to accomplish...I feel I recreated a version of this classic Delft Tile in my own style - with less flourish and more clean to the eye...but not without passion...perhaps like those Delftware potters so long ago - capturing their idyllic life unfolding before their eyes.

Delft Tile and Antique Belgian Blue Stone Flooring

If you are interested in viewing my Dutch 17th Century Antiqued Delft Tile Collection, please click here.

Thank you for your time in reading this blog...

Emmi Micallef. co-owner Historic Decorative Materials, a division of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc.

Emmi Micallef

Author and Co-owner of Historical Decorative Materials, a division of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc.

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in Meanderings of Our Authentic Life

The Timeless Beauty and Durability of French Limestone Flooring at a Glance from our Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc. Showroom Installations

by Emmi Micallef April 20, 2018

There are many stone companies available that offer limestone flooring from all over the world with various textures and finishes. As one can imagine, each limestone color and surface has it's place. However, within our repertoire of limestone flooring - we look to limestone from French quarries, where the limestone blocks are held to the highest goals of recreating for our company, 18th century stone flooring. And just because it's French limestone - this does not mean it makes it into our collection. With an artist's focus - we cull the most beautiful repertoire of French limestone floors for our clients.

Why is One of the Best Showrooms in the Nation for French and Belgian Stone and Wood Flooring in Western Massachusetts?

by Emmi Micallef February 03, 2018

The definition of the word DESTINATION according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is, "a place worthy of travel". In these e-commerce times with click-and-buy nearly everything from the comforts of your living room, there are still those items that one has to see and touch for oneself. The world has become smaller - but adventures cannot be forgotten and traveling to a destination that showcases materials only truly found in France and Belgium, no longer seems that far away.

Falling in Love with Antique Belgian Bluestone Pavers

by Emmi Micallef January 31, 2018

Antique Belgian Bluestone is a formidable stone of choice for architects and designers building out their finest projects. As a durable and historic floor, the satin patina of either the dark black blues or soft matte grey surfaces create the most magnificent ambiance to a room.

Subscribe to Historic Decorative Materials Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest videos and blogs about HDM's French and Belgian building materials, including installation videos and material sample video blogs.

About Historic Decorative Materials, a Division of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc.

Historic Decorative Materials, a division of Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc. is an e-commerce site that supplies reclaimed and aged French, Belgian and Italian tile, brick, stone, wood and terra cotta flooring to the fine home building market. After 20 years in business, co-owner François Micallef born and raised in the South of France, holds court with some of the best reclaimed material suppliers in Europe. From French limestone and Belgian Bluestone Flooring to French oak wide-plank flooring in solid and planks, as well as reclaimed Belgian veneer bricks and French reclaimed terra cotta tiles - architects and designers choose these formidable surfaces for their exceptional building and renovation projects.

Sharing a partnership with it's parent company, Pavé Tile, Wood & Stone, Inc., a by-appointment showroom is available where a client will receive our expert Design Service and installation recommendations. Visiting our showroom allows a client to feel and touch our incredible and highly vetted collection of French, Belgian and Italian stone and wood materials while receiving the design service to help marry materials to achieve the client's goals. A Design Service is also available for those who cannot visit the showroom that has proven to be extremely beneficial. With proprietary glazed wall tile collections developed in-house to specifically compliment reclaimed materials, architects and homeowners appreciate the ability to achieve design flow throughout the entire home.

DESIGN SERVICE is now available! The internet can be frustrating for our type of business if making an appointment with us in our showroom cannot be achieved. Samples of natural materials with inherent color variations and textures will never communicate the true product. This is why we have implemented a design service where a client sends images of their goals, materials they may already have, a description of their project - and we, in turn, create design boards that hone in on what they are looking for. This goes beyond samples! If you are interested in our design service, email your request by clicking here.

See our latest in-stock French reclaimed hexagon terra cotta tile lots. We purchase these rare, hard-to-source lots when they become available. All are unique and beautiful and in-stock at our warehouse.

Please click on the image below to view the newest in-stock arrivals of our Historic Decorative Materials. At any one time - you may chance upon a French limestone floor or a reclaimed French oak floor with the exact square footage you need ready to ship from our warehouse in Massachusetts.

Brushstrokes from Japan, a Minimalist Hand Painted Tile Collection. Inspired by the Japanese perspective, Shibui, this tile collection is a balance of simplicity and textural complexity, bathed in a soul restorative Japanese color palette that contrasts beautifully to aged stone and wood building materials.

A passion for historic decorative art tiles from France, Amsterdam, Italy and England pushed Emmi Micallef to hand paint a tile collection that ranges from classic Delft Tiles to reproducing Monet's kitchen tiles from his home in Giverny, France. To view a LOOK BOOK of all the collections, click here or on the image below.

The Kings of France 18th Century French Oak Floors in the Great House Collection are extraordinary. The colors of these aged French oak planks are not created by applying stains or oils. Highly skilled wood craftsmen perform an aging oxidation process onto each plank that works within the tannin of the oak. This changes the composition of the wood fibers where color is created authentically, as if they turned back time. The resulting French oak floors appear as if they have been salvaged from an 18th Century Château or French farmhouse. From videos of each color or viewing a gallery of installations, Historic Decorative Materials wants you to understand just how magnificent these aged French oak floors really are.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A GALLERY OF INSTALLATIONS.

The Kings of France 18th Century French Oak Floors Country House Collection is a reverie in royalty. Click here to view these beautiful wide-plank oak floors in colors and patina that match the grandest of living.