E-News for Summer 2011
23/08/11 11:51 Filed in: E-News
Remaining Vigilant!
More (and More) Mantels
Spokane’s Davenport
“The Tracks We Leave Behind”
Kathy A. Harris
Rodger Dunham
Tiling for Contractors
E-News Print Version
Formed in July 1987 Tile Heritage just entered into its 25th year this summer.
Supporters like YOU… members, sponsors, donors, grantors... everyone... have made possible
the continued fulfillment of the foundation’s mission to Preserve, Protect and Document
tile history both past and present.
Remaining Vigilant!
A woman in Columbus, Ohio was buying an apartment and found this “antiquated” fireplace mantel where she wished to cut a doorway. Thinking the tiles might be Rookwood, she contacted Larry Mobley who in turn contacted Tile Heritage.
The tiles were made at California Art Tile Company in Richmond, California, likely dating to the mid to late 1920s. The arch around the opening is #704 and the corbels ("End of the Trail") are #503.
Cal Art was founded in 1923 by a Scot, James White Hislop, a third generation brick maker, who put together an impressive crew of experienced tile makers who in turn produced one of the most prolific and artistic bodies of work in Northern California. The company closed in the mid-1950s. The mantel appears to be in pristine condition. It would be truly unfortunate were this fireplace to be destroyed.
More Mantels
An artist in Salt Lake City found Tile Heritage online while researching his tile fireplace. His home was built about 1910. He had been told by a few folks that these were California ceramic tiles. The larger picture tiles are 9 inches square and the smaller red tiles are 6 inches square. The picture tiles have relief, that is, they are raised. He wondered if the scene might be Lake Tahoe, and thanked us for whatever info we might be able to send along.
The tiles are Rookwood Faience from Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati. Titled “Modeled Landscape” in the company’s 1912 catalog, the panel is numbered N1352Y1, 2, 3 and 4.
A homeowner in Glendale, California living in a 1926 Spanish Revival home in the Adams Hill area had been told by the previous owners that the Mayan or Aztec style tiles were Batchelder. “We feel so lucky that the tiles are in such beautiful condition, and we are honored to be the current caretakers. Can you tell me who made these?”
Indeed! These tiles were made at Claycraft Potteries in Los Angeles:
No. 1568 Mayan Fire Arch.
More Mantels
A couple in Hastings, Michigan was hoping that Tile Heritage could assist in identifying their circa 1890 home. Although the detail of the modeling seemed familiar, we couldn’t locate an exact match in the Foundation’s catalog collection. The home owner had read somewhere that the manufacturer sometimes “prints” its name on the back. And as there was a broken tile on the hearth, he removed the pieces, turned them over, and found...
More Contemporary Mantels
For roughly 30 years Raul Coronel now in his mid-80s, was a mid-century master ceramist in Southern California, throwing, sculpting, playing in clay and glaze. Included in his prolific offering were decorative tiles and murals produced on a custom, job by job, basis for both private residences and commercial establishments.
Born (1926) and raised in Mexicali, Raul came to the U.S. when he was 14, becoming a U.S. citizen when he joined the Marine Corps in 1944. After the war he studied under a number of master potters at different colleges and universities before establishing Stoneware Designs, Inc. in LA in 1958.
We are indebted to the captivating exchange at 20th Century Forum. Also AMOCA will be hosting “Common Ground: Ceramics in Southern California 1945-1975” Nov. 12, 2011 through March 31, 2012, which will include Coronel’s work.
In the Tradition of Ernest Batchelder
Cha-Rie Tang at Pasadena Craftsman Tile offers handmade decorative relief tiles in the tradition of Ernest Batchelder, producing classic reproductions as well as original designs. Fireplace mantels, fountains, walls and backsplashes are among her specialties.
“Our aim is to work in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, preserve the designs and feel of Batchelder, while providing the wearability demanded by today’s consumers. Our tiles are fired 2 to 3 times to over 2150 degrees, and the glaze is applied with a special technique that accentuates the relief and lets the clay body show through.”
Spokane’s Davenport Hotel
After many years of high-class service, Louis Davenport finally sold the hotel in 1945 and, sadly, after a number of uninspired owners, the hotel was closed in 1985. Local developers Walt and Karen Worthy purchased the property in 2000, spending two years and over $40 million to bring the property back to its original grandeur.
“The Tracks We Leave Behind:
Fragments Through Time”
By Betsy Schulz 2008-2009
The goal is to encourage people to learn more about our past and then use their understanding to be more interested and concerned community members.
The series of ten 4-sided columns, each side fitted with a 2’ x 5’ panel, depicts the history of san Diego. Handmade, silk-screened image tiles, sculpted tiles, and broken tile mosaics were applied to cement board with thin-set mortar, then grouted in the artist’s studio.
The overall feeling of each era of history is artistically depicted through imagery with small sections of supporting text. Each Column represents a different period in San Diego history.
Not intended to be a complete time line, the murals provide “glimpses” of history that best represent the feeling of the times as interpreted by the artist. In many cases the familiar imagery speaks for itself.
Location: Track side of the Sapphire Tower, between W. A and W. Ash Streets, San Diego.
See adesigngarden.com
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How To Prep, Set and Finish Like a Pro
By Michael Byrne and Michelle Griffoul
Tiling is one of the most popular, beautiful, and durable finishes in a home. And when done properly, it's richly rewarding for the homeowner, and highly profitable for the contractor.
Yet the finest tilework can easily fail if placed over a poor setting bed, or installed with the wrong materials, which can cause time-consuming and expensive callbacks. In this comprehensive guide to the best tiling practice, you'll learn step-by-step how to use the latest materials and methods in nearly every tile application.
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- Preparing plywood, concrete, and other surfaces for proper tile adhesion.
- Foolproof techniques for tiling out-of-level and uneven surfaces.
- Preventing common cracks and water leaks with movement joints.
- Using tile membranes for 100% waterproof installations.
- Perfecting grout joints to protect tile edges, slow water penetration, and resist staining.
- On-the-job tips, tricks, and jigs for getting the most out of tile tools and equipment.
- And much more...
Why sub out your tiling jobs? Tiling for Contractors will give you the critical knowledge, skill, and confidence to tackle any tiling job yourself, no matter how complex!
Learn from the best. Best-selling author Michael Byrne has been a ceramic tile installer, contractor, consultant and industry expert for more than 40 years. He's also a popular speaker and instructor at countless seminars and trade shows each year. Michelle Griffoul is one of the most well-known artists in the ceramic tile industry. She also manufactures and installs hand-crafted mosaic and decorative tiles.
View Table of Contents
Order online or call (800) 859-3669 More tile setting resources from Michael Byrne
Item # TC010
Price $39.95
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