Ceramic mosaic tile designs were popular in early 20th-century homes, and there are several 1920s floor tile patterns that made their way through bathrooms and entryways. This guide will showcase some standardized patterns that were produced in the Art Deco era and explain some of the main features to look out for when you shop for reproduction tiles.
What Is a Ceramic Tile?
The ceramic tiles used in 1920s mosaic floor designs were generally unglazed, dust-pressed tiles that were 1/4″ thick and less than 2 1/4″ wide. They came mostly in square, round, or hexagon shapes and were made in a dozen or so colors. The tiles were sold in sheets and were spaced accordingly on a mounting paper that was removed after the tiles were set. Sheets came in either one solid color or in a pattern grid with multiple colors. Patterned sheets were more time-consuming to layout because they need to be matched up precisely. You could create your own pattern by laying down solid color sheets of mosaic tile and then popping out the design and inserting a different color tile so long as the depth of the tile is the same.
Mosaic Tile Designs
3/4″ Square—Straight Joint
3/4″ Square—Broken Joint
1″ Hexagon
1 1/4” Hexagon
Basket Pattern
Borders
More Mosaic Pattern Examples
Mosaic Faience Tiles
Mosaic Tile Co., c. 1929
Catalog No. 10
Friderichsen Floor & Wall Tile Co., c. 1929
Art Portfolio of Floor Designs
U.S. Roofing Tile Co., c. 1920s
Art Portfolio of Floor Designs
U.S. Roofing Tile Co., c. 1920s
Spanish Floor Tile
Roldan Spanish Floor Tile Co., c. 1920
Tile Catalog
Lloyd Floor & Wall Tile Co., c. 1928
