From the hallway to the bathroom, antique tiles can breathe new life into any space. Tiles have been a thing for thousands of years, since the Industrial Revolution allowed homeowners of Victorian England to tile their floors inexpensively. But today, they're more desirable than ever, as interior enthusiasts and tasteful homemakers plump forstriking traditional designs and beautiful functionality to boot.
If you want in on the artful resurgence, the good news is that you can make a big impact for a relatively small investment. So, whether you’re browsing antique tiles for sale for an interiors project or brushing up on your antique tiles knowledge, this go-to guide has you covered.
Encaustic antique tiles
Produced during the first emergence of medieval tile production, encaustic antique tiles are highly popular right now for their hardy wearability and striking colours. The intricate, decorative tiles in pressed clay can be found in millions of foot selfies across Instagram, but they can be on the pricier end of the tiles antiques market. The range of encaustic antique tiles is so wide that many collectors choose to niche, opting to buy tiles from specific designers or factories. Valuable manufacturers to look out for are Minton & Co, Maw & Co, Godwin, Campbell Tiles and Craven Dunnill.
Ceramic antique tiles
If you’re just getting started with antique tiles, ceramic is a good entry-level material. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find British ceramics freely available at fairs, markets, junk shops and antiques centres - many from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. It’s typically used on walls and will give a stunning aesthetic to any room in the home.
Stone antique tiles
When working with a raw material, you need to be prepared to maintain it. This is the case with stone antique tiles - think marble, granite, slate and limestone. They need sealing and treating, they change colour if they get wet and you’ll never find two identical antique tiles of this kind. Still, they’re worth the effort for the natural, calming aesthetic they lend to spaces.
Glass antique tiles
Stain-resistant, minimal effort and available in a wide range of colours and finishes,glass antique tiles are a desirable option for designers. They are, however, better for those with a big budget - and are more prone to damage and scratches.
Antique mirror tiles
Perfect for injecting glam to bathroom walls or brightening up kitchen splashbacks, mirror tiles can really pull a room together. If you’re struggling on where to find antique mirror tiles for sale, try scouring antique shops, junk stores, markets, fairs and even car boots. Be sure to check for signs of faking - many sellers may have simply acquired standard mirror tiles, researched how to make mirror tiles look antique and sold them with the label.
Where to buy antique tiles for sale
Shopping for antique tiles is a joy, if you know where to look. Tiles from the 13th to 18th century are a huge part of the English pottery market, so you can stumble upon them at many antique markets. Your best bet, though, is to visit a specialist pottery dealer.
The most valuable antique tiles are those in top condition - more desired for their beauty than their functionality. You’ll never see the same thing twice at Hemswell Antiques Centres - explore our antique wonderland in Lincolnshire to view our antique tiles for sale in full technicolour. Ceramics lovers will also love our pottery and porcelain collection, available to view online. Happy hunting!