Tiles and Tilework of Europe

by Alun Graves

An illustrated survey of the use of tiles in interior design through the ages, from the Gothic through to Art Deco and the Omega Workshops in the 20th century. Many different styles are revealed through tilework, from the mellow Delftware depicted in paintings by Dutch masters, to the lively, inventive decoration adopted by Duncan Grant at his Charleston farmhouse. The influence of the Islamic world is shown in the tiles of Moorish Spain and the Victorian period, while the Gothic, and its revival in the 19th century, the Renaissance and Modernism are all represented. The book is illustrated with an array of pictures, which include not only individual tiles but also patterned and pictorial tile panels and items such as ceramic stoves as well as authentic interiors and elements of exterior decoration. Paintings and drawings set the tiles in context. Tiles have provided a particularly fertile opportunity for decoration, employing numerous ceramic techniques and an endless variety of styles through the centuries. Different tile-making processes are discussed and the continuing introduction of new practices is recorded, conveying a sense of the richness and diversity of the traditions of tilework in Europe. Appealing to collectors and to those interested in architecture and interior design, the book draws on the unique collections at the V&A to provide a visual resource and a survey of a popular subject.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002