A Short History of Italian Ceramic Tile

The use of Italian tile began in the Middle Age when ceramic tile became a useful 
architectural medium for the decoration of walls and floors in religious and public building. 

The tiles, mostly hand decorated majolica, had their origin as a local handcraft. 

The local artisans, in turn borrowed from the hexagonal terracotta tiles prevalent 
in the late Roman Empire, and other medieval decorative tiles. 

By then, Islamic and Moresque tiles had also been introduced to Christian Europe. 

Italian majolica handcrafters developed new styles, adapted from those types, 
to fit the changing modes and patterns of interior deco- ration in both public 
and private buildings. 

One of the first tile floors designed by a known artist, 
was in the chapel of S. Petronio in Bologna in 1487. 

It was designed by Pietro Andrea da Faenza and the use of 
the medium by him quickly became known. 

Afterwards tile usage spread rapidly in religious buildings, 
palaces and villas throughout Italy. 

In Southern Italy, artistic ceramic first was used in Sicily, during the Baroque period. 

For the first time, tiles were used in the representation of large biblical and 
others historical scenes. 

By the beginning of the 19th century, large decorated scenes were no longer in use. 

The artistic and decorative energies of tile designers and installers become focused 
on the use of varying and repeating geometric patterns. Many of the design concepts 
and elements first used in that period remain prevalent today. 

After its mass use during the Art Deco Period, ceramic tile became a product primarily 
manufactured in large industrial complexes. 

Additionally, because oftechnological advances, larger and thinner tiles were 
manufactured with graeater strenght and endurance. 

New manufacturing methods permitted the use of glazed floor tiles with high 
resistance to abrasion. 

As the same time, decorative techniques, including hand decoration and silkscreening, 
evolved quite rapidly. 

It became virtually impossible to collect or even catalogue all the new designs. 

In the 1980's tiles had become, primarly, a mass manufactured, industrial product. 
Decorative styles had to adapt to the new production methods wich emphatized 
economies of scale. However, the countervailing need for product diversity continues 
to maintain the artisans and artistry that was the core of the origin of the industry. 

The artistically and industrially vibrant tile industry continues as a source of pride and economic development for the region and for the country.