Ancient Material Adds Warmth Today

Terra cotta or “baked earth” is one of the oldest building and sculptural materials utilized by mankind. Unearthed tablets from 2,200 B.C. are inscribed with characters and symbols relevant to hunting and gathering. Terra cotta has an abundant number of modern day uses and has remained popular over the centuries for the warm natural brownish orange coloration it possesses.

Roofing & Bricks

The photo to the right shows multiple uses of terra cotta both as bricks and roofing tiles on this beautiful bathhouse cloister within an ancient monastery.

...To Wall Art

The photo to the left is an example of terra cotta bricks combined with mortar and river stones which make up a crude but aesthetic wall. The wall is part of the enclosure surrounding the supposed burial place of Juliet from the famous Romeo and Juliet.

From Art to Modern Day Tile

The photo above left is a replica of an ancient Etruscan terra cotta decorative tile. The Etruscan civilization inhabited Italy during the periods before the Romans. Their origins are as of this day unknown and their disappearance from Italy remains a mystery. 

The magnificent terra cotta urn on the right, which was most likely a storage jar, now rests gracefully above a formal garden.

Return to top