There is no such thing as a 'Victorian style', either in architecture, interior decoration or ceramic tile design. The Victorian era was so long-lasting, so dynamic, so open to experiment, to new ideas and styles, that no one style can do it justice. In fact, it is this visual diversity and complexity that best expresses the true nature of Victoriana; not merely embracing new styles - Gothic Revival, Neo-Classical, Arts & Crafts, Japanese, Indian, but frequently blending two or more together in the one situation.

"Early experiments and innovations in the technique of tile production had focussed on floor tiles. During the 1860's new or revived techniques for decorating wall tiles were sought. Maiolica glazes developed by Minton's art director Leon Arnoux, transfer-printing, screen-printing, tube-lining, barbotine (popular at Wedgewood), hand-painting and sgraffito (an ancient form where the glaze was scratched away to reveal the clay body beneath) are just a few of the methods employed. The high-water mark for 19th century decorative tiling was from about 1870-1910. The population was exploding, construction was break neck, and tiles were viewed as hygienic, hard-wearing and an attractive form of wall and floor decoration. Designers found in tiles a suitable vehicle for the many new artistic styles of the time. The employment of leading independent designers which began with AWN Pugin and Digby Wyatt, and progressed through Moyr Smith and Christopher Dresser to Walter Crane, Lewis F. Day and Alphonse Mucha, was a serious and successful attempt by manufacturers to bring the best of art and design to the general public through the medium of mass-produced tiles. Probably the two most outstanding designers operating in this field were William Morris and William De Morgan. The two men met in 1863. Morris had been designing tiles since 1862 and after graduating from the Royal Academy Schools De Morgan soon commenced designing tiles for his firm, Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. Morris's company was of unparalleled importance in the Arts and Crafts Movement and established theoretical and practical precedents that were followed by similar communities in Europe, the U.S. and Australia."

Olde English Tiles Australia's Victorian collection of embossed, transfer, and hand-painted decorative tiles reflects this stylistic diversity. The range has been developed to be used in conjunction with OETA's transparent glazed embossed and accessory tiles and our plain white and vanilla wall tiles.

These decorative wall tiles can be used domestically or commercially, offering an easily maintained surface for pubs, shops and restaurants. 

* Available in Fanfare colour range. (See Art Deco)

** Available in the heritage glaze colour palette (see Plain Wall Tiles). 

*** Available in extensive hand painted colour range.