A couple of months ago, Maneka Gandhi thought of a novel way to raise money for her animal charity- have an exhibition-sale of old ceramic tiles. Now why would anyone want to sell tiles, you may well ask.
And you might add a query on what makes them an essential luxury too.... Hold that thought as I delve a little into recent history. Builders in India- especially in older cities like Kolkata and Mumbai- once used to happily demolish old mansions with scarce regard for their interior decor. Today they are much more canny.
Just as they carefully prise out teakwood doors, windows and frames to sell to collectors, they now do the same for the colourful ceramic tiles that once adorned wainscotings and bathrooms, terraces and even gateposts.
That is because these tiles, usually bearing graceful Art Nouveau and Art Deco motifs are hotsellers today for not only their rare antique value but because even new versions cannot match the lustre and workmanship of the old. No wonder Ms Gandhi could price each large tile at Rs 2000 and each small one for Rs 1500 and find buyers aplenty!
Though those these tiles were at least 50 years old- more likely they are around 80 years old- and made by factories long-defunct in places like Wankaner in Gujarat, their colours are incredibly luminescent, and their texture smooth as silk.
Indeed, if timeless style is a penchant, then these ceramic tiles are an essential luxury for nothing made recently can even compare with them, though tile factories today have the benefit of better technology. No wonder one well-heeled connoisseur assured Ms Gandhi that he would buy up whatever was left after from the sale!
And you might add a query on what makes them an essential luxury too.... Hold that thought as I delve a little into recent history. Builders in India- especially in older cities like Kolkata and Mumbai- once used to happily demolish old mansions with scarce regard for their interior decor. Today they are much more canny.
Just as they carefully prise out teakwood doors, windows and frames to sell to collectors, they now do the same for the colourful ceramic tiles that once adorned wainscotings and bathrooms, terraces and even gateposts.
That is because these tiles, usually bearing graceful Art Nouveau and Art Deco motifs are hotsellers today for not only their rare antique value but because even new versions cannot match the lustre and workmanship of the old. No wonder Ms Gandhi could price each large tile at Rs 2000 and each small one for Rs 1500 and find buyers aplenty!
Though those these tiles were at least 50 years old- more likely they are around 80 years old- and made by factories long-defunct in places like Wankaner in Gujarat, their colours are incredibly luminescent, and their texture smooth as silk.
Indeed, if timeless style is a penchant, then these ceramic tiles are an essential luxury for nothing made recently can even compare with them, though tile factories today have the benefit of better technology. No wonder one well-heeled connoisseur assured Ms Gandhi that he would buy up whatever was left after from the sale!
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