Featured Antique Delft Tiles - Useful Websites ???

I've just purchased a pair of framed delft tiles, which will effectively double my existing collection to a whopping four tiles !
Would anyone be kind enough to suggest a website which provides useful information on how to identify and date antique delft tiles ?
I did save a link to an excellent website, but unfortunately lost it when my old laptop recently gave up the ghost and had to be replaced.

I'm itching to find out more about my recent purchases, even though they are yet to be delivered. At first, I was nearly put off by the frames. Firstly, they appear to be both near identical, and secondly, that they seem to be almost too antique (worm holes, etc !) - if you see what I mean !
However, despite my very limited knowledge, I still reckoned that they are the real McCoy - convinced by the close-up detail of the manganese(?) tile on the right - and, putting caution to the wind, dived in fast with my thirty Euros! Perhaps too fast ?!!.

 

Why do you believe them to be Delft? Are they marked on the back?

Debora

 

Based on my internet research, they most likely originated in Holland and regarded as delft tiles, although not being the traditional blue/white. Older tiles would probably be unmarked on the reverse side.

 

They look right to me. Nice!

 

Here you go.
http://www.delfter-fliese.de/english_index.htm

 

Excellent news ! Many thanks for taking the time to give your expert opinion, Mr B.

Within the last few minutes, I have finally managed to find the Delft tile website which I was eagerly searching for. It is packed with very useful info for identifying and dating antique delft tiles, along with plenty of examples.
Hopefully, other antiquers will find it of benefit :

www.delfter-fliese.de/english_altersbestimmung.htm

 

Aaargh! Have located the same site minutes ago and made a posting to that effect!
Many many thanks, anyway, for taking the time and effort !

 

I would be interested in what you find out and knowing what the back of your tiles look like when they arrive. I have a few Delft tiles that I more or less just came upon and a book by de Jonge on Dutch Tiles but don't feel I know much.

I was curious if anyone is familiar with the grotesque figure on the polychrome tile. I keep thinking it looks a bit French or is that just me.

 

The tiles are in their way in the post. When they do arrive, I'll take some pics of the backs for you. The seller also mentioned that the tiles are heavy - which, I believe, indicates that they are earlier, rather than later.

 

The tiles arrived this morning - sooner than expected.
My own opinion is that they are the genuine article. Even the frames are antique - they appear to be (possibly) mahogany or some other fine grain wood -please see pic.
I carefully removed the brown paper covering the back of the frame, to find that the tile had been held in place by a white plaster-like substance and then a coating of some sort of brown gunge - possibly animal-based glue to stick the original back cover in place (?). Unfortunately, therefore, it's not possible to see the surface on the rear of the tile, which can also help dating. However, according to the delfter-fliese website, the corner motifs date these pieces to between 1650 and 1680 !
Anyway, I've uploaded a couple more pics, for anyone interested.
Once again, thank you all for your comments !!!

 

I can't help as I don't know but I am still curious if the comical figure tile is actually Dutch. I'd think that any information about Dutch tiles might not transfer to tiles made elsewhere so might be good to know.

Perhaps @Any Jewelry might recognize the figure as one that is Dutch. I just keep thinking it looks French but it may just be that the French seemed to use comical/grotesque characters sometimes.

This is a modern plate but sort of shows what I mean.
https://www.rubylane.com/item/260004-3197x20C/French-Rouen-Faience-Grotesque-Decor-Fantastic

 

Not instantly, France could be a possibility, because of the many copies they made. The painting is 'heavier', more pronounced than on Dutch tiles.
But I could do some checking on my Dutch tile sites. Problem is, my go to site wants to be extra helpful which means you have to go through a step by step identification process, for which I need dimensions including thickness.

It looks like a wood that is enjoyed by woodworms.

 

Nothing for grotesque or jester. Mind you, there was no royal court, The Netherlands were a republic during most of the tile making period. So no need to entertain bored courtiers.

Just a quick search for reading man (Dutch tiles):



These are all town criers, also reading, but from a piece of paper:



My favourite:

 

I've done a quick search on 'Antique French Majolica Tile' . I could find only one entry which showed a polychrome figure. A tile is being sold via Ebay (please see scan). However, in the description field, the seller states that she bought the tile in France, and that although the colours (in her opinion) were more typical of Italian origin, she stated that the tile could be from France , Belgium or Italy. Hmmmmm. However, I must admit that the painting style is quite similar to one of my tiles - eg. the shading on the legs, for instance.
I'm still of the opinion that my other tile is Dutch, based on similar 17th / 18th century designs. I think that it may perhaps be depicting Noah (with the dove bringing the twig ), although the character appears to be on dry land, rather than on an ark !! Perhaps one of the better educated contributors might know.

 

That was my first impression. It doesn't talk to me in Dutch.

 

I've finally managed to contact a collector of Dutch delft tiles who informs me that, in his opinion : The religious tile apparently depicts Elijah being fed by ravens (1st Book of Kings - 17.6), and although similar to dutch tiles, is from elsewhere , possibly France. The second tile, featuring a slightly grotesque caricature, is probably not dutch, and again, possibly also from France.
This is unfortunate, as there appears to be a distinct lack of information on the web regarding French antique tiles, compared to those from Holland. And my apologies for doubting those who suggested a french origin.

To be honest, all this faffing around on the internet is beginning to take it's toll on my patience.
I'm currently thinking about keeping the purple religious tile, which I quite like - and disposing of the other tile, which somehow reminds me of my mother-in-law, who I don't like.

Once again, thank you you ALL very much for your contributions.

 

Well it's a shame they aren't what you were hoping but I think the polychrome one is rather comical. Perhaps you can take out your ill feelings for your MIL by pulling faces at it or something.

 

No - to be perfectly honest, she's not THAT bad. There's always worse.

 

I found this one in a museum collection... Many differences from your polychrome tile, but some similarities. I wonder whether the word "faience" would help at all in your searches? This came up without using that word but it reminded me that the word exists. Not sure if it applies to your pieces, though.

https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn537063