While many of us know tile as a unique approach to decorative kitchen backsplashes, or fine flooring options, tile’s creative use spans centuries. In fact, the origin of tile revolves heavily around artwork and creative cultural expression rather than home finishings.
So, let’s explore some common history of the tile, and how this decorative design material has become the widespread home finishing detail it is today. For more information, continue reading below.
Exploring Tile Stores Near Me
Searching for the right tile is a deeply innovative process. It’s a process where you will begin to envision the tactile details that bring your space together. Therefore, this makes finding the right retailer for your tile that much more important. For a simple approach, try searching for “tile stores near me” online. This will help you identify the local providers you have access to. Meanwhile, it will also give you the opportunity to explore their services and materials.
Historical Remnants Within Your Local Tile Store
As we mentioned, tile has a deeply extensive history that dates back centuries and spreads across the globe. So, how has this history helped to shape the current selection of tiles you might find at your local tile store? Let’s explore some unique events in time that may help to answer this question.
Tile in Time
Did you know that decorative tile dates all the way back to 4000 BC? Mosaics and murals of ceramic tile have long been used by Egyptians, Assyrians, Romans, Greeks, and many other historical groups. In addition, many of these original murals utilized the different shapes and angles of tile to depict scenes and events in time. These musings were some of the first works to inspire what we know today as modern or contemporary tile works.
The Moraq Technique of The Islamic Period
With the Islamic period came the rise of highly decorative mosaic tiles. Mosaic tile was often displayed in sacred temples, mosques, and places of worship. Even more influential was the Timurid Empire of Persia. This is where the Moraq technique took tiling to new heights – quite literally.
During Moraq tiling, they poured plaster over small tile pieces, allowing them to harden. Then, they used this tile to create decorative panels that were mounted onto high ceilings and walls. These elaborate displays have influenced a widespread movement of floor-to-ceiling tile works throughout the world.
An Expansion into Europe
Though tile was highly influential in earlier periods of time, similar decorative works did not popularize in Europe until the middle ages. At this time, tile was mainly accessible to people of a higher class, usually in royal or religious spaces.
Also popular at this time were encaustic tiles. Encaustic tiles were a more durable tile made of clay that was often used in European churches. Additionally, painted tiles were popular as well, depicting scenes from the bible and other events.
Tile’s Contemporary Influence
Early expressions of decorative tile work have greatly influenced today’s tile market, informing style trends, mosaic appreciation, and unique color variations. These early displays have also normalized tile as a unique decorative detail used in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, and many other surfaces. So it’s safe to say that the widespread history of tile has evolved into a contemporary decorative material, used all across the board.
AGS Stone: Family Owned and Operated in Tampa
Choosing the right cabinetry and countertops for your home should be stress-free. With the team at AGS Stone, you can enjoy the process, and choose selections that are perfect for you. Don’t wait, contact our family-owned and operated team today. Let us guide you through the process with ease.
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