When the giant crack appeared in a Catholic rectory at a cathedral in Singapore, tile enthusiasts knew they had to work carefully to save the historically rich tiles. They carefully removed each damaged tile with a chisel and hammer, cleaned and repaired what they could, crafted exact replicas of tiles that were too far gone to be saved, and returned the tiles to the floor. The tiles represented a beautiful and important part of Singaporean history, and the restoration project ensures that the flooring of the rectory will be enjoyed for years to come.
Decorative tile came to Singapore at the tail end of the nineteenth century. They primarily came from Great Britain and Japan, and many examples of decorative tile in buildings can be seen around Singapore today. The tile flooring in the rectory was perhaps the most ornate example. Those tiles were stamped by hand, and were made of concrete. Other tiles can be made from metal, and are generally used to decorate ceilings and walls. The concrete tiles in the rectory were representative of the artistic periods of art nouveau and art deco, where abstract designs took inspiration from floral subjects in nature and shapes and design work became bolder, respectively. The tiles are particularly special because it is easy for experts to recognize that the design was in the process of bridging the gap between one artistic period to the other. It was also special for the tile enthusiasts to see the aesthetic tastes of the historical figures who used to own and live in the rectory. It was like opening up a time capsule to another era.
The tile enthusiasts who completed the rectory’s restoration project are such big fans that they even have an art gallery exclusively for tiles. Visitors can stop by and appreciate a rich collection of different types of tiles. Some include colorful mosaics of abstract designs and repeating patterns. Other include 3-D representations of gorgeous types of flowers. Still others feature stylized representations of birds, religious symbols, and decorative motifs deigned to elevate the decor of the home, shop, church, or other building the tiles are installed in.
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To read more about the tile preservation project, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/precious-old-tiles-given-a-new-life.