An Andalusian tile restoration project made by Ceramicas Sevilla workshop for Mizner Tile Studio. Miami, FL. USA.
This panel was removed from a landmarked home in Palm Beach, where years of exposure to the elements had destroyed the tiles. We replaced all of the tiles on the front elevation of the home to return them to their original splendor.
Before: Damaged Andalusian tile panel removed from a landmarked home in Palm Beach before being replaced.
Research:
Once we review the photographs to determine if this is a tile that we can reproduce, we request actual tiles be removed from the site and sent to us. The artwork is reproduced from the original tiles. If the design is unrecognizable we refer to the hundreds of antique books in our library to find the original design and reproduce the pattern. While the artwork is being produced we start the color sampling. Considering that glazes produced decades ago were often produced with lead and pigments no longer used or available, this can be an extremely time-consuming endeavor.
Color and Finish Matching:
In addition to matching the colors, we also have to consider the finish of the tiles. If we are reproducing the entire project then typically the tiles will have a gloss finish as they did in their original condition. If however, we are only replacing tiles and some of the original tiles will remain, then we will also need to match the existing finish. Most likely after decades, the gloss finish has dulled to a matt finish which we must replicate. If the glaze has crackled and then been stained with years of dirt filling the cracks then we must reproduce this.
Restored tiles prior to installation.
Sizing:
Many of the tiles we are asked to reproduce were originally made in Portugal, Spain, Holland, and Tunisia. Since these countries use the metric system we need to cut our standard 6” tile to size. When the quantities permit we have the bisque tiles produced to size and then we hand paint and glaze.
Tiles cannot be repaired in place. We do not “paint” and repair broken or faded tiles. This is a short-term fix and will eventually fade or wear off. All of the tiles we reproduce must be done in our studio in Seville, where they are fired at extremely high temperatures to ensure their permanence.