Kachelkunst

Kachelkunst is the art and craft of decorating ceramic tiles, typically fired clay units, with painted, glazed, or relief decorations. The term encompasses a range of techniques, including hand-painted tiles, tin-glazed (faience) surfaces, slip decoration, sgraffito, and tile mosaics, as well as the assembly of decorative tile panels for architectural interiors and exteriors. It is closely associated with the use of tiles in walls, floors, and, in particular, stoves and fireplaces.

Historically, Kachelkunst developed from medieval tilework in Europe, with influences from Islamic and Moorish ceramic traditions. In German-speaking regions it became prominent during the Renaissance and Baroque periods through programs of tile decoration in churches, palaces, and houses. The tradition is strongly linked to the Kachelofen, a tiled stove used for heating, where artistically painted or glazed tiles served both functional and aesthetic purposes. Over time, regional styles emerged, ranging from narrative scenes to geometric and floral motifs.

Techniques and materials used in Kachelkunst include tin-glazed earthenware (faience or majolica), hand-painted imagery under glaze, glazed relief tiles, and mosaic tesserae. Tiles may be produced individually or molded, then fired in kilns and often re-fired for subsequent glaze applications. Contemporary practice often blends traditional handcraft with new technologies, such as digital photographic printing on glazed tiles, while conservation and restoration of historic tile programs remain important.

See also: Kachelofen, faience, majolica, tile mosaic.