A History in Tile

The historical data on tile dates back as far as ancient Egypt. Civilizations long ago, like today, desired to create beautiful images and art. Tile fit that role. The ancient Egyptians used tiles to decorate various structures. Beautiful tiles have been found in pyramids and ancient Babylon. At the time, bricks were make of clay and sun-dried or baked. Once completely dry, a bluish-copper tile was used as glaze.

Mesopotamia also shows evidence of having used ceramic tiles in 4,000 BC. Like the Egyptian tiles, these tiles were glazed, though with a blue and white striped pattern. Later evidence showed Mesopatamian tiles with more elaborate color schemes and patterns.

Several centuries later, in the Shang-Yin Dynasty in China, between 1523 and 1028 BC, a delicate ceramic tile art was discovered. China is traditionally seen as the hub of great ceramic art. During the Shang-Yin Dynasty, a fine, white, glazed stoneware was produced.

During these formative years when tile was a new commodity, they were hand-formed, shaped, and painted. Each tile was a unique work of art. As such, the results were beautiful and used in nearly every aspect of construction, including walls, ceilings, floors, and on elaborate murals.

As tile production and the method of manufacture improved, the process was expanded to other cultures and perfected. Great tile mosaic creations have been discovered in Spain and Portugal, tile iconography is seen in the Netherlands and England, ceramic masterpieces in Germany, faiences of Antwerp, and Renaissance Italy boasts grand floors made of impressive tile work.

Tile production today has been dramatically simplified. Tiles are no longer exclusively hand-made and painted, though one can still obtain them. Automated manufacturing techniques are now used and human labor is used primarily for installation only.

However, the beauty of tile is still as appreciated as in ancient times. It is found in many homes on floors, fireplaces, walls, in bathrooms, on roofs, and in many other places, including exterior locations.