Here’s yet another story of a ginormous stockpile of New Old Stock discovered: Mark, who occasionally does estate clean outs, stumbled onto a stockpile of thousands — no, Tens of Thousands, he says — New Old Stock Georges Briard enamel-painted metal tiles. He wants to sell them, either as one batch for someone else to deal with, or, he will consider selling them as individuals (he already has some listed on ebay). He sent me 32 samples to take a look at — I scanned them — and so get ready for an eye-popping photo series! Mega thanks to my friend Danielle, who saw Mark selling these at Brimfield and told him to contact me stat — you know what we love, Danielle!
Photo viewing tip: On a desktop computer, you should be able to click on any image and it should enlarge up to 1,000 pixels wide so you can see more detail. Hit ESC to go back to the story. This functionality should work on most all our stories.
The tiles arrived in a variety of sizes: Approximately 4.5″ x 4.5″ … 6″ x 6″ … 8″ x 8″ … 4″ x 8″ … there’s one that’s 7″ x 12″ … and as you will see, a trim piece and some round ones, large and small. Mark says there is an even larger size — he’s sending me a second batch of tile samples uncovered since the first mailing so I can do a follow up.
Pricing: Mark says pricing starts at $5 for a 4″ x 4″ square… but the cost will depend on style, size and number purchased. At Brimfield, folks liked the op-art tiles — the more modern ones. Of course, I like the colorful and kitschy ones best!
My sense is that these tiles were used as singles designed into items like cheese boards, trivets, tile trays and even pot lids. I was thinking I might use some for my kitchen backsplash…. Kate also suggested using them to make small tile-top tables for a patio.
- There are a lot of “finished” products using these tiles for sale on ebay. Take a look-see >>George Briard Tiles on ebay
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The back story on this find: They were stored for many years by a man who must have purchased them close-out from the factory; the man was a hobbyist who likely had the intent to fashion them into products.
The tiles were in boxes from at least two companies: Erie Ceramic Arts Company of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Veos Porcelain Enamel Products Corp. or Rehobeth, Mass. There could be more companies involved — these names were spotted on just two boxes in the stockpile now at Mark’s place.
It could be that all these boxes then came to a central manufacturing facility — possibly in eastern New York state, because that’s the area where Mark found them.
Precautionary Pam reminds: Vintage materials and products may contain hazards such as lead paint — consult with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you are dealing with/working with so you can make informed decisions how to handle. For more info and links see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page here.
There is quite the diversity of designs! Mid mod… flower power… Victoriana… many solid colors … and my favorite of the moment: Avocado, orange and harvest gold mushrooms! I tend to think that given this diversity, a lot of these tiles were made in the 1970s. When were cheese boards popular? That said, Mark says that they found lots of newspaper wrapping dating to the 1960s.
Tee hee. I had Kate make me a patterned “backsplash” using the mushrooms and coordinating orange, avocado and harvest gold solid-color tiles. Desktoppers, be SURE to click on this one to see it large! Ben Sander: I challenge you to do this for someone!
My scans are not necessarily color-correct. The colors in the actual tile above, for example, are much more vibrant. And there’s metallic paint. There is metallic paint on A LOT of the tiles. Ya gotta see the samples.
The one above is the 7″ x 12″. It’s pretty awesome. I could design an entire kitchen around this design, too.
Above: A 4″ x 8″ subway. Hmmmmm…..
… To go with this happy pineapple. And I think there are more pineapple designs.
I kinda adore roosters and chickens in the kitchen.
Seller Mark send me these photos before he sent me the samples. They provide an alternative ways to see some of the colors:
Okay: So you want to buy some of these George Briard tiles — or all of them? Here’s how:
- I see he has some for sale on ebay here
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- Georges Briard was a prolific designer of barware, dinnerware, giftware and more from the 1950s on: You can study his work via the 2,300+ Georges Briard listings on ebay right now!
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Dawn Simon says
I need some of these in my life!!! Please post more for sale on ebay Mark!
Joe Felice says
Kate’s beautiful back splash is oh-so 70s!
Just another Pam says
Truly fabulous find!
Someone has to tell people who sell on eBay that they shouldn’t use eBay’s ridiculous shipping program! Almost 18.00 to ship a single tile to Canada? Things like this being shipped to Canada do not have to be brokered, it’s a scam eBay uses to make them money and cost the sellers as I don’t know a single person who will buy something when the seller uses the eBay program. When you read that the lister uses that system then you just go on to the next.
Two of his tiles are very tempting but strictly because of using that I’ve stopped considering doing a wall.
That said, good for him and good for everyone who gets some of this wonderful in their house.
Samuel says
Hi, I wIll take the global shipping program eBay uses off the tiles and you can also jut email my father Mark… At a1antiques4u@yahoo.com we will gladly ship to Canada for you.
Mary Elizabeth says
My all time favorite is the avocado and orange mushrooms, and my second favorite is the leeks.
Yes, when I attended weddings in the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were a lot of cheeseboards displayed with the wedding gifts! One of my friends joked that she had got so many cheeseboards and so few of her formal dinnerware that she was going to be forced to give only wine and cheese parties for years to come.
pam kueber says
Quote of the month:
Mary Elizabeth says
And this is what you find if you search eBay for “Georges Briard cheese.”
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=georges+briard&_osacat=69851&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xgeorges+briard+cheese.TRS0&_nkw=georges+briard+cheese&_sacat=69851
Some of these have the cheese knives attached to the board by a chain or leather strap. I had forgotten about that feature on the ubiquitous cheese boards. It’s like the bank chaining down their pens. Who would steal your cheese knife? Or was Georges worried that someone would carry off the knife to a different part of the room and no one who wanted a slice of cheese could find it? 🙂
pam kueber says
Yes, lots on ebay…
Jay says
Pam, what will you do with your samples, create a tile collage?
pam kueber says
I think I will make some trays, combining samples with small mosaic tiles I bought from the World of Tile liquidation!
Jay says
Just getting around to reading this story, your comment made me laugh. I guess the cheeseboards went hand in hand with the fondue pots.
David Broyles says
Great post!!!
Marissa Bee says
I love the metallic ones!!!
pam kueber says
They are REALLY fantastic. If I had my hippie house, I’d use the Victoriana ones for sure!
Dave S. says
Wow Wow ! Such a joy to see pattern and color on this great find. Someone will have a fantastic looking project with these tiles.
Sue Anne says
I think you are right lead would be a big concern. Handle with care. A lead swab … [rest of comment edited because it gave advice — peoples, do your own research/get with your own properly licensed professional to assess situation — pam] .
pam kueber says
Peoples: Get with your own properly licensed professionals to assess this situation. These may or may not include lead — you would have to get them tested…
midmichigan says
This is a great find and post. I think I’ll buy a few for some projects.
Carolyn says
Can you imagine the emotions running through people when they pick up a box not knowing what it contains and finding something like this?!
Even if you could afford only a few, what statements they would make either framed or as part of random placement or, as you hypothesized, as a crafting element!
Thank you, Danielle and Mark!