Delft ship tile murals are a fantastic design element that adds visual interest to your walls. The earliest Delft ship tile murals were large panels of tiles. They covered a wall and created a single design, but modern versions are smaller and some have the entire design on each tile. Creating a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall featuring a Delft ship tile mural is a great way to add art to your wall and is an affordable way to enhance the look of your room. A stunning Delft Ship tile mural can also increase the value of your home.
The colorful murals are both traditional and modern, but the local works draw heavily from Delftware color aesthetics. A classic Delft tile mural depicting a dutch ship under sail is a beautiful and historic decoration. Traditionally, Delft tile murals were fabricated throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in many Dutch towns – the most famous being the city of Delft. In addition to being able to purchase Delft tile murals for your home, these tiles can be found at many museums throughout the world.
While the Delft ship tile murals are largely decorative, they have only recently become truly affordable.
An Historical Perspective of Delft Tiles
The Delft tile is one of the most distinctive forms of ship-themed artwork in the world. Besides the signature blue-and-white palette, these tiles also have an abundance of historical significance. They feature elaborately painted portraits and scenes of everyday life, and are instantly recognizable. What makes them special is their uniqueness – any tile can represent almost anything. From the smallest of details to the largest of ships, delft tiles have an endless number of themes and applications.
Some great houses in Europe, such as Chateau de Rambouillet, once owned by Louis XVI, have Delft tiles in their bathrooms, kitchens, and swimming pools. A garden arbor is adorned with the Tate family’s arms, and the main house was destroyed in 1961, making its tiles irreplaceable. The tiles were lost in the ensuing demolition of the main house, which was built in 1753.
After the sixteenth century, the production of Delft Blauw pottery slowed down, as cheaper and more durable tiles became available in Britain. Only a few factories continue to produce the blue and white tiles. In the nineteenth century, Delftware fell out of fashion in Britain. During this period, industrial potteries in Staffordshire developed new methods for the production of blue and white ceramics, which were much lighter and more durable than tin glazes.
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