Animals, 17th century

Beautifully hand-painted Dutch antique wall tiles depicting animals in blue, dating from the early 17th century (circa 1640). These tiles show a lively variety of animal scenes, Each tile is decorated with a 'scalloped' border and 'Wanli' inspired corner motifs. With an age of nearly 400 years, they reflect the early development of Delft tile production and the strong influence of Chinese porcelain on Dutch decorative arts. Each tile is hand-painted, giving every wall composition an authentic and expressive character.

Condition and preparation

All tiles are reclaimed antiques and are fully prepared for reuse. They have been carefully cleaned, desalinated and any soot residues have been removed. Each order is hand-selected to ensure a consistent appearance in colour tone, glaze and surface character. If your project requires cut tiles, designated tiles with more visible imperfections can be supplied at a reduced price, helping preserve intact historical tiles.

Tile variety and stock

This collection consists of a range of animal scenes, all executed in a cohesive early 17th-century style with matching scalloped borders and Wanli-inspired corner motifs. Representative images give a clear impression of the overall appearance. At present, the available stock is limited. For the most up-to-date availability, please refer to the quantity indication (pcs) shown on the right-hand side of this page.

Complementing tiles

These animal tiles are best showcased when used together, as the scalloped borders and Wanli corner motifs align to form a coherent and continuous wall composition. Using the same tile type ensures that the decorative framework remains visually consistent. They can also be combined with other 17th-century Delft tiles decorated with Wanli-style corner motifs. In addition, the tiles pair well with plain white antique tiles (witjes), such as plain white 1st quality and plain white 2nd , which can be used to frame the scenes or introduce visual balance.

Tile size

Each tile measures approximately 13 × 13 cm (5.1” × 5.1”) and 1 cm / 0.4” thick. As the tiles are handmade and antique, slight variations in size and thickness are to be expected and contribute to their authentic character.

How to order

You can request a quote directly on this page or contact us for assistance with tile selection and layout advice. Our specialists will gladly help you assemble a balanced wall composition suited to a small or medium-sized tiling project.

Samples

Samples can be provided on request, allowing you to review colour tone, glaze and surface quality before placing a larger order.

Product disclaimer

Antique tiles naturally vary in colour tone, glaze, size and surface. These variations reflect their historic production and form part of their timeless appeal. While complete uniformity cannot be guaranteed, all tiles meet our quality standards and are suitable for most indoor wall applications.