Antique Dutch White Tiles: a timeless addition to your interior

7 January 2025

Bring the charm of the past into your home with Antique Dutch Tiles

With Antique Dutch Tiles, also known as “Delft White Tiles”, you can add a touch of history to your interior. These timeless tiles are perfect for a rustic kitchen, a vintage-style bathroom, or a cozy fireplace surround. Their handcrafted nature, unique craquelé effect, and subtle color variations infuse any space with warmth and authenticity. Plus, they’re durable and timeless, ensuring years of enjoyment.

     

When you look around in the Netherlands, you’ll often spot these remarkable Dutch tiles. Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, Antique Dutch Tiles emerged during a time when Dutch craftsmanship gained worldwide recognition. These 13 x 13 cm square tiles were handcrafted to protect walls from moisture and dirt, commonly found in kitchens, fireplaces, and farmhouses.

Even today, Dutch White Tiles remain popular. Not only do they add charm to kitchens and bathrooms, but they also offer practical benefits, like protecting against moisture.

Even today, Delft Tiles remain popular. Not only do they add charm to kitchens and bathrooms, but they also offer practical benefits, like protecting against moisture.

     
Christopher Horwood

What makes Antique Dutch tiles so special?

It’s the subtle imperfections that make these tiles truly unique. Their gentle color variations, slight irregularities, and distinctive craquelé effect (fine cracks in the glaze) create an artisanal appearance. During the 17th century, craftsmen in Delft, also renowned for Delft Blue ceramics, produced these tiles primarily by hand.

How are Dutch Wall Tiles made?

The production process showcases traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail:

  1. Shaping the Clay: Craftsmen pour clay into square molds, with tiny pins in the corners creating the characteristic corner holes.
  2. Drying: The tiles are air-dried slowly, resulting in slight variations in shape and thickness—imperfections that add to their charm.
  3. Firing: The clay is fired at high temperatures to make the tiles durable. At this stage, the tiles are still rough and matte.
  4. Glazing and Decorating: Each tile is glazed in various shades of white. During firing, the famous craquelé effect emerges. Hand-painted decorations, such as windmills or floral designs, may also be added.
  5. Final Firing: The glaze and tile fuse into a strong, water-resistant piece, ready to grace your home.

     

Incorporating Dutch White Tiles into your interior

Antique Dutch White Tiles are incredibly versatile. They work beautifully as a kitchen backsplash, in bathrooms, or around a fireplace or hearth. Their color variations and craquelé effect create a cozy, luxurious ambiance, adding character to any space.

More than just tiles, Dutch Wall Tiles represent a piece of history, art, and craftsmanship. Their subtle imperfections bring a warm, rustic charm that makes every room uniquely yours.

     
Martin Morrell                                                     Paul Massey

Available now in our showroom

Our tiles are made using traditional methods, and we always maintain a large stock in our showroom. Visit us today and discover how Antique Dutch White Tiles can elevate your home’s interior!