Animals, 17th century

Beautifully hand-painted Dutch antique wall tiles depicting animals in blue, dating from the 17th century (circa 1640). These tiles show a wide variety of animal scenes, decorated with a 'scalloped' border and 'Wanli' inspired corner motifs.. Their vivid blue-and-white colour palette and balanced compositions give them a timeless character that works equally well in classic and contemporary interiors. Each tile is hand-painted, making every wall composition visually rich and authentic.

Condition and preparation

All tiles are reclaimed antiques and come 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 harmonious 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 17th-century style with matching scalloped borders and Wanli-inspired corner motifs. Representative images give a clear impression of the overall appearance. At present, a significant quantity is available, making these tiles suitable for small to medium-sized tiling projects. 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 featuring 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 quality, 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. The tiles are relatively thick, which is characteristic of heavy 17th-century production. 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 your 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.