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A Lifelong Obsession with Ceramic Tile
After writing about my grandfather, Joseph A D’Eath (see “E-News” Summer 2022 “Joseph Arthur D’Eath: A Man with a Mission”), I, Joe Pokorney, began reminiscing about my own interest in tile which is a direct result of his influence. My parents built two houses, one around 1945 in Morton Grove, Illinois and later in 1953 in Mequon, Wisconsin. Since my grandfather had a highly successful tile business in Chicago, he insisted on helping out his...
Woman on Horseback (pseudo) Gift to Tile Heritage Foundation
In 2025, a Jean Ames’ mural, “Woman on Horseback” (pseud0), was donated to the Tile Heritage Foundation by Donato V. Pompo, founder of Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants, Inc. The mural was originally purchased from the artist by Donato’s father, Vincent N. Pompo, a manufacturer, importer and distributor of ceramic tile in Southern California. The mural hung above the family’s living room fireplace. Vince Pompo began his tile career around 1950 working for Gladding, McBean...
Confirmation of a Masterpiece
THF receives numerous requests to identify tiles. We've pulled some examples from our recent files in order to share these masterpieces with you. If you have a tile that needs identification, we'd love to know. Please see our Research Services information to submit a request. Calco Fireplace From Iris Shih, archivist, Pasadena Museum of History to the Tile Heritage Foundation: Attached are photos of the Calco [California Clay Products Co.] fireplace from a 1926 home...
A Letter from Karim Motawi Executive Director of Development
I have recently joined the Tile Heritage Foundation as Executive Director of Development. My job is to help prepare the Foundation for the future and work to continue its legacy as the guardian of our sacred tile heritage. While I invite you to learn more about our work, I first want to share why this mission is so deeply personal to me. My Tile Heritage Story When I started making tile in a garage in...
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