80
I HB
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
Of each of these sizes there are diagonal halves and quar-
ters, also octagons, hexagons, pentagons, lozenges, and other
regulär geometrical shapes. The very small tiles or " tesserse ”
ränge from x to 1 X 1 inch, and are used in
niosaic work. There are larger sizes of the enamelled, orna
mental, and the majolica tiles. The largest of the former are
12 X 12 inches ; 9 X 9 inches and 8x8 inches are also made,
besides 8x4 inches, 7x7 inches, 6x6 inches, 6x8
inches, 6x2 inches, and 6x1 inch.
The tiles in France, and on the Continent generally, are
made in fractions of the metre, and are larger than the six-
inch tile. The Dutch tiles measure 5| X 64 inches, and
are less than half an inch thick. The old Saracenic and Per-
sian tiles are generally larger, beiug nearly one foot square.*
Minton, Hollins & Co., Patent Tile Works, Stoke-upon-
Trent.—The plain and encaustic tiles of this celebrated estab-
lishment have been rendered familiär to our citizens by their
liberal use in the Capitol at Washington and in many of our
public and private buildings. But these fail to give an ade-
quate idea of the variety and richness of the designs which
are now produced and largely used abroad for decoration.
TJie firm made a very complete and interesting exhibition
of all their varieties of tiles, whether for paving, mural decora-
ration, or other purposes. One of the broad wall spaces be-
tween the columns, in the main transept of the Vienna build-
ing, nearly opposite the beautiful display of Minton’s majolica
and porcelain, was set apart for their use, and was completely
filled with tablets, painted slabs, and specimens of pavements.
The series of tablets hung upon the wall gave a square yard of
surface to each different pattem. The greatest novelties were
the Persian and Moorish patterns, of great beauty of design
and coloring; copies from a series of ancient tiles recently
obtained in the East. There was also tiles in imitation of
embossed leather. Altogether, it was the most brilliant
and complete display of tiles in the Exhibition, and merited
the great interest with which it was regarded by all classes of
visitors.
* Some interesting and peculiar varieties of form are noted beyond in the descrip-
tion of the exhibition in the Spanish and the Portuguese sections.
