Update Friday night: So I finally thought to call the source — Chippy at World of Tile — herself. She did not hesitate in saying that in 1968, when she started at World of Tile, her dad called this Provincial tile. In fact, if you look at some of the photos below, you can see the abbreviation “PRV” on some of the cardboard sleeves. That’s for Provincial. I can only guess: Yes, French Provincial. Could hav been that this tile shape was associated with that style, back in the day. However, I still think that somewhere, I’ve seen a 1960s ad calling in Persian.
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Original story still open for discussion, though: This tile: Should we call it Moroccan tile? I don’t think so. Should we call it Persian tile? I don’t think so. The correct descriptor for this style of tile, I have decided… or learned… I think… is: Arabesque tile. I didn’t learn this in any official way. I prowled around the google. This tile is getting popular again in 2011-12 in contemporary kitchens backspashes and bathrooms — and I see most places calling it Arabesque. Today’s rehash seems to be in small scale, all glossy white — glam. But back in the 1970s, we saw it in all kinds of rich, deep, earthy, textured colors — Mediterranean hippie style. An iconic example of the 1970s’ fixation on tile.
However, I am 100% not sure whether Arabesque is the true proper classification for this shape of tile — and I sure would like to know. I spent a year in Spain in college, and while there, visited the Alhambra in Granada. Oh my goodness, what a treasure. The tile there is considered Moorish. Which is not the same as Moroccan. And I think I originally started calling this shape Persian because of something I saw in a 1960s or 1970s advertisement. ACK! I am drowning! Any tile scholars out there? I’d love the know what to call this shape of tile, and how to differentiate it from Moroccan and Moorish and Persian and Retro Decorating Gods Know What other tile styles that I should understand. HELP!
While I was at World of Tile last year, I saw plenty of Arabesque tile — available in big lots. And also available in much more limited availability as replacement tile. Anything on a piece of cardboard is a replacement tile. Sorry for the shaky images — it was way dark back there, and I didn’t hold the camera still enough. I will take a tripod next time… Note also – arabesque tile in resilient sheet flooring from Tarkett, too!
More tile shapes
To add to this list of questions, I am also throwing the following tiles in. They are close to the pointy-like tiles that I am trying to nail down as Arabesque. But they are not pointy. How do these fit into the taxonomy of tiles?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these two, they are coordinating:
All of the tile samples here are from World of Tile in Springfield, New Jersey. I have written extensively about this time capsule tile store. All this tile is the real deal New Old Stock from the 1960s, 1970s and from all the years since. Want some? Call Chippy or Nick at World of Tile, tell ‘em I sent you.
Here is a modern version of the arabesque tile–Walker Zanger, Ashbury Mosaic in my daughter’s house. This picture shows tile on the wall and the Nutone fan that we learned all about on this site. Cabinets from 60′s, floors 1940.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UQ-ullGZPk/TwvYElM305I/AAAAAAAARuo/L0Qorb5VmlU/s1600/IMG_9547.JPG
My other daughter has some arabesque tiles in her kitchen from the 70′s. I do not care from then. All that brownish beige just looks too dull to me. I love the updated whites and pale aquas, etc.
Lynda
Mission Stone and tile makes a version called “beveled Arabesque”
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbicZydOzfE/TysWWtMdsJI/AAAAAAAAAaM/XeSFYefpROA/s1600/backsplash.jpg
I LOVE the shape of the Arabesque, Moorish—whatever they are called, sorry no help there—tiles. To me they seem timeless, like many aspects of Eastern decorative arts. Even with their exotic flavor, the design blends beautifully with more traditional elements and furnishings, and with modern, as well. But I love anything exotic so perhaps am biased.
Without your prompting, Pam, I would have referred to such tiles as Moorish, for what that’s worth!
Yep, my grandmother had tile like these, in avocado, with Williamsburg potpourri wallpaper in avocado and hot pink, and a swag lamp. It may all be ripped out by now.
Thanks for exploring this topic! I had trouble figuring out what to call this style of tile when I was considering it for my backsplash!
Fabulous and timely post. I am loving my recently restored arabesque patterned resilient flooring. Your photos are wonderful arabesque affirmation for our descision to keep the original sheet vinyl (renovate safely, everyone – consult pro, remember).
And, yes, I think “arabesque” is the term for the pattern here; to me, it connotes “swirly”.
Technically, the shape is a modified quatrefoil.
Not sure about the tiles but we have the linoleum in out 1968 bathroom and used to have it in the kitchen just like the photos in the November 6, 2010 link you have above. My dad built the house and told me it was called “Persian” tile look linoleum. Wish I still had it in the kitchen! That stuff shined like glass when my mom would mop and wax it! Love this site and must send photos of our MCM bi-level soon!
Angie B.
This stuff truly does shine like glass when mopped and waxed. We used the Armstrong-recommended Pledge Floor Finish (two coats applied eight hours apart) on our flooring last weekend. It still looks wet – a brilliant shine.
At least, that’s what it looks like to me.
I don’t think I can help either, but I like the pattern! My 1970s era kitchen has the red-brick color arabesque patterned sheet vinyl one layer under the current (which is faux wood grain parquet tiles). I’m thinking very much in favor of putting down new Tarkett flooring in the arabesque design. I love the updated colors of the traditional design, but I’m also drooling over the colors in the photos here–what lovely earth tones!
Like Angie B. Above, we had the same vinyl featured in your 8/26/09 link “Vintage 60s orange, harvest gold, avocado and colonial brick flooring remnants” (the red color in the 2nd frame – exact same stuff) in the house my dad built in 1969. Fun to see it making a comeback. I wish I could tell you the proper name. At the time I know my parents had bought some stuff – including a bedroom set – that they referred to as “Spanish” style. My dad even band sawed some brackets to arch off the upper corners of the master bedroom doorway that were similar in theme. The furniture and woodwork were all dark stained. Not scientific or scholarly, but of Google image searches using the words Moorish, Mediterranean, Persian, or Spanish in quotes with Tile, only Spanish turned up exact matches for me.
FWIW the names kind of show a historical progression.
Eastern origin – Persian
Migratory continuance – Moorish (refers to Islamic religion of colonizing migrants of North African to eastern origin. Remember, Othello was a Moor)
Arabesque – same basis as Moorish, refers to eastern origin of colonizing conquering migrants
Spanish – showing heavy influence of the Moors
Moroccan – a home base of some of the migrants. Morocco – Moors, hmmmm?
So, if you look at the influences, any of those titles work.
Maybe the nice(?) people over at the TIle Heritage site can define it. Though, it looks like they have not bothered to update the website in awhile.
http://www.tileheritage.org/TileHeritage-home.html
I’m getting ready to renovate my great grandparents Spanish colonial home that was built in 1938 and LOVE the arabesque tiles. I have been planning to incorporate some of these styles into my master bath tile designs. I’m planning on a combo of San Felipe & Riviera Saltillo tile for the floor and want to pull some Walker Zanger Ashbury tile into the mix for the wall tiles. I love classy pieces with an edge!
I am renovating a 1925 Spanish mission house in Miami. I found these “arabesque tiles” for my kitchen back splash:
http://thisoldcoconutgrove.blogspot.com/2012/02/beveled-arabesque-glazed-ceramic-wall.html
Ooh, that Spanish colonial looks wonderful. Love the beveled tiles in the kitchen.
I am of the notion that the names are updated by the industry to reflect something new and different. Somewhere in my mind is a historical document of tile designs from Italy. I noted them because I am a quilter and tile patterns translate to quilting as well. When in England I saw leaded glass windows with different shaped designs I was considering as quilt patterns. Many designs were interpreted to wallpaper as well and probably fashion, now that I think of it.These age old patterns may be older than the recorded ones from Italy, but they have been repeated and translated through the ages. “There is nothing new under the sun.”?
Ok I am in love with this shape. I think it’s beautiful and timeless. Am I able to purchase enough to do a progect (backsplash) from you guys? Love Q-461-prv, or any of the cream, tan or off white colors.
We don’t sell anything here, susan — refer to the story for the suppliers.