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History of Tiles
Tile... An Italian Tradition |
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use of Italian tile began in the Middle Ages when ceramic
tile became a useful architectural medium for the
decoration of walls and floors in religious and public
building. The tiles, mostly hand decorated majolica, had
their origin as a local handcraft. The local artisans, in
turn borrowed from the hexagonal terracotta tiles
prevalent in the late Roman Empire, and other medieval
decorative tiles. By then, Islamic and Moresque tiles had
also been introduced to Christian Europe. Italian majolica
handcrafters developed new styles, adapted from those
types, to fit the changing modes and patterns of interior
deco-ration in both public and private buildings. |
Tile by
Cedit, Milano;
designer Ettore Sottsass,
1968. Wall tile
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Tile by
Appiani, Oderzo;
designer Pompeo Pianezzola,
1968. Wall tile
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One of the first tile floors designed by a known artist,
was in the chapel of S. Petronio in Bologna in 1487. It
was designed by Pietro Andrea da Faenza and the use of the
medium by him quickly became known. Afterwards tile usage
spread rapidly in religious buildings, palaces and villas
throughout Italy. In Southern Italy, artistic ceramic
first was used in Sicily, during the Baroque period. |
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For the first time, tiles were used in the representation
of large biblical and other historical scenes. By the
beginning of the 19th century, large decorated scenes were
no longer in use. The artistic and decorative energies of
tile designers and installers become focused on the use of
varying and repeating geometric patterns. Many of the
design concepts and elements first used in that period
remain prevalent today.
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Tile by Richard Ginori, Milano;
designer Antonia Campi,
1972. Wall tile
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Tile by Amica, Modena;
designer Marco Lanzoni,
1975. Wall tile
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After its mass use during the Art Deco Period, ceramic
tile became a product primarily manufactured in large
industrial complexes. Additionally, because of
technological advances, larger and thinner tiles were
manufactured with greater strength and endurance. New
manufacturing methods permitted the use of glazed floor
tiles with high resistance to abrasion. |
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the same time, decorative techniques, including hand
decoration and silk-screening, evolved quite rapidly. It
became virtually impossible to collect or even catalogue
all the new designs. In the 1980's tiles had become,
primarily, a mass manufactured, industrial product.
Decorative styles had to adapt to the new production
methods which emphasized economies of scale. However, the
countervailing need for product diversity continues to
maintain the artisans and artistry that was the core of
the origin of the industry. The artistically and
industrially vibrant tile industry continues as a source
of pride and economic development for the region and for
the country.
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Copyright 2008 ICE - Italian Trade Commission - Government Agency
33E 67th Street, New York NY 10065
All rights reserved (see Copyright And Credits) |
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