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If you are looking for  reclaimed or salvaged antique 19th century wall or floor tiles in the classic and timeless neo-medieval Gothic-revival style of Victorian architect and designer A. W . N. Pugin then sit back and relax because this is the web site you've been searching for.

 

Whether you are a collector of Minton ceramic tiles or designing a floor for your home, this web site is a one-stop resource to help you find the right items.

 

All our tiles are original. They have been reclaimed from churches and houses and are offered for sale exclusively here unless otherwise stated.

 

Shopping and Shipping

Non-UK buyers please note: VAT and Import Duties are NOT included in the price at checkout. Any additional local duties, customs or taxes that apply must be paid by the recipient upon delivery. 

You are welcome to collect in person from CB8 8EY.

 

Deliveries can be arranged but are charged extra.

History

 

Encaustic tiles (tiles with decoration inlaid into their surface with contrastingly coloured clay) were produced in large quantities from the mid-19th century.

 

The firm of Minton & Co. was one of the major producers.

The old Palace of Westminster, London, was largely destroyed by fire in 1834, so a competition was held to design a new building for the seat of Parliament.

 

After much debate, a stipulation was made that the new design had to be in the

Gothic or Elizabethan Revival style. Charles Barry (1795-1860), who was assisted in his Gothic Revival design by A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852), won the competition. Construction of the new building started in 1840.

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Left: A Minton/Pugin tile from the Hardman Great Stove made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and a contemporary engraving showing the relative position of this tile in situ on the stove. 

 

We are delighted to announce the recent acquisition of Hans van Lemmen's collection of encaustic tiles. Please click here.

 

Also many tiles from the Chris Blanchett collection. Please click here.

In 1844 Charles Barry again enlisted Pugin's help, this time to design the interior fittings for the Palace of Westminster. Barry prevented the government from putting The House of Lords was opened to great acclaim in 1847, and the House of Commons was completed in 1852. Encaustic tiles, a common feature of Gothic Revival buildings, were used extensively throughout the Palace of Westminster.

 

the production of the designs out to tender. This allowed Pugin to work with his established contacts in the manufacturing industries. The encaustic tiles were produced by the firm of his friend Herbert Minton (1793-1858) in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Pugin is reputed to have sketched the designs for a number of encaustic tiles while on the train to Stoke.

Patents and Pattern Books ensured that many celebrated makers subsequently reproduced these designs and we have many fine examples for sale here.

View our complete collection of tiles for sale: here

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