The Finding Aid of the Malibu Tiles Collection 0141

Kelsey Knox/LeAnne Arnold
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
March 2019
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Malibu Tiles Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0141
Physical Description: 2.4 Linear Feet Two cartons.
Date: 1926-1932
Abstract: The Malibu Tiles Collection contains tiles from Malibu Potteries, a historic Malibu ceramic company which operated in the early 20th century. Malibu Potteries, owned by May Knight Rindge, produced tiles and ceramic pieces heavily inspired by Moorish, Mayan, Spanish, and Saracen cultures, featuring Art Deco influences. Despite their brief production run, they played an influential role in local architecture, and can still be viewed in various public locations throughout Malibu and greater Los Angeles. This collection contains a portion of the original tiles produced.
Container: 1

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Scope and Contents

The Malibu Tile Collection contains twenty-five tiles, most produced by the locally operated Malibu Potteries (1926-1932). The tiles are various shapes and sizes, and many of the designs are inspired by Saracen, Moorish, Spanish, and Mayan cultures. The collection is organized by XXXX.

Biographical/ Historical

Known as "The Queen of Malibu," May Knight Rindge - the last owner of Rancho Malibu - opened Malibu Potteries in 1926 after discovering rich deposits of red clay on her property. This discovery coincided with a burgeoning demand for decorative tiles fueled by the 1920s Los Angeles housing boom and the popularity of both Art Deco and Spanish Revival architecture. Rindge hired Rufus Keeler, a local ceramic engineer, to construct and operate the plant, and to formulate the proprietary glazes used on the tiles. After suffering catastrophic damage from a 1931 fire, the factory briefly resumed production on a limited basis, but was permanently closed in 1932 due to the economic pressures of the Great Depression.
Malibu Potteries produced tiles and ceramic pieces heavily inspired by Moorish, Mayan, Spanish, and Saracen cultures, featuring Art Deco influences. Despite their brief production run, they played an influential role in local architecture, and can still be viewed in various public locations throughout Malibu and greater Los Angeles. Notably, Los Angeles City Hall has a sizable installation, as does the Serra Retreat - formerly May Rindge's Malibu Home. However, the most significant remaining installation of Malibu Tiles can be seen at the Adamson House in Malibu. Built at the heyday of Malibu Potteries in 1929, the Adamson house was the dream home of May Rindge's daughter Rhoda and her husband Merritt Adamson.
In addition to their foundational role in the history of Malibu, the Adamson-Rindge family contributed significantly to the history of Pepperdine, donating a large portion of the land on which the Malibu campus was founded.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], [Name of collection], Collection no.[], [Sub repository], Special Collections and University Archives, Univesrity Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Malibu (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century
Ceramic tiles
Art deco
Rindge, May, 1864-1941
Adamson House (Malibu, Calif.)

 

Black Pillow Tiles

Physical Description: Two tiles- 1.5" by 1.5".

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Blue, Yellow, and White Edge Tiles

Physical Description: Two tiles- 3 5/8" by 3 5/8".

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Pillow Tiles

Physical Description: Six tiles- 3.5" by 3.5". Two brown tiles, three blue tiles (two chipped), and one black tile.

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Flamingo Mantel Insert (Left Facing) 1926-1932

Flamingo Mantel Insert (Left Facing) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: Purposefully rustic in appearance, this rounded-cornered and richly colored tile features matte glaze and irregular surfaces intended for interior display and care.
Physical Description: 4"x12"

Stock Number

B111-L

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Flamingo Mantel Insert (Right Facing) 1926-1932

Flamingo Mantel Insert (Right Facing) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: 4"x12"

Physical Characterstics

Purposefully rustic in appearance, this rounded-cornered and richly colored tile features matte glaze and irregular surfaces intended for interior display and care.

Stock Number

B111-R

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Moorish Revival Tile with Magenta Flower (Example 1) 1926-1932

Moorish Revival Tile with Magenta Flower (Example 1) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: This intricately patterned tile features an inlaid floral motif inspired by 15th and 16th century Hispano-Moresque design.
Physical Description: 4"x4"

Stock Number

E127

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Moorish Revival Tile with Magenta Flower (Example 2) 1926-1932

Moorish Revival Tile with Magenta Flower (Example 2) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: This intricately patterned tile features an inlaid floral motif inspired by 15th and 16th century Hispano-Moresque design.
Physical Description: 4"x4"

Stock Number

E127

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Moorish Revival Tile with Radial Motif 1926-1932

Moorish Revival Tile with Radial Motif from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: Tiles are 6" by 6". One is broken with a slanted edge and one has concrete attached to the back. This intricately patterned tile features an inlaid radial motif inspired by 15th and 16th century Hispano-Moresque design. The satin glaze is blue, yellow, and green on the inlay, and white on the background.
Physical Description: 6"x6"

Stock Number

E106

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Red Quarry Tile with Double-Headed Eagle in Cobalt Glaze 1926-1932

Red Quarry Tile with Double-Headed Eagle in Cobalt Glaze from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: This hexagonal floor insert features a double-headed eagle on a red quarry tile that has been incised and inlaid with cobalt glaze. According to the Malibu Potteries catalog, this design was only stocked in cobalt, but could be special ordered in polychromatic glaze.
Physical Description: 10" hex

Stock Number

C31

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Saracenic Border Tile with Fleur-de-lis Motif (Example 1) 1926-1932

Saracenic Border Tile with Fleur-de-lis Motif (Example 1) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: Featuring a white and gold fleur-de-lis motif against a blue background, this border tile is an example of Saracenic design, a revivalist architecture and design movement that drew inspiration from Arab and Byzantine visual culture. This tile exhibits surface oxidation.
Physical Description: 3"x4"

Stock Number

E520

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Saracenic Border Tile with Fleur-de-lis Motif (Example 2) 1926-1932

Saracenic Border Tile with Fleur-de-lis Motif (Example 2) from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: Featuring a white and gold fleur-de-lis motif against a blue background, this border tile is an example of Saracenic design, a revivalist architecture and design movement that drew inspiration from Arab and Byzantine visual culture.
Physical Description: 3"x4"

Stock Number

E520

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Small Cream, Blue, and Orange Tiles 1926-1929

Physical Description: Three tiles- 2 1/2" by 2 1/2".

Provenance

From the Gulls Way Estate.
 

Saracen Tiles Sample Board 1926-1932

Sample Board of Saracenic Border Tiles from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: 13.5" X 13.5"

Stock Number

E41, E28, E38.

Provenance

Donated by Joan Miller.
 

Saracen Tiles Sample Board 1926-1932

Sample Board of Saracenic Tiles with Brightly-colored Floral Motif from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: 14" x 14"

Stock Number

E35

Provenance

Donated by Joan Miller.
 

Saracen Tiles Sample Board 1926-1932

Sample Board of Saracenic Tiles with Ochre Floral Motif from Malibu Tiles Digital Collection

Physical Description: 13.5" x 13.5"

Stock Number

E2

Provenance

Donated by Joan Miller.
 

Flower Cap Stretcher Lavender Background 1926-1929

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

A 47
4 Inch
 

Saracen Tile Magenta Flower 1926-1929

Physical Description: 5 in x 5 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 543
 

Saracen Border Tile Little Magenta Flower 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 95
 

Saracen Border Tile with Oak Leaves 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 570
 

Moorish Border Tile Yellow and Black 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E108
 

Eight Point Star Shape Depicting Ram Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 5.5 in x 5.5 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Turquoise and green.
Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 523
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Turquoise and tan.
Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 519
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Brown, red, and white.
Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 521
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Blue marbled.
Physical Description: 2 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 520
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Yellow and auburn.
Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Brown and tan.
Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Glazed Pillow Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Brown and green.
Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Orange, Blue, and Yellow Floor Tile Insert 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

C 48
 

Black Perforated Vent Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

G 18
 

Mission Mantle Insert 1926-1929

Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

General

B 122
 

Red Quarry Floor Tile Inserts with Blue Griffin 1926-1929

Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in hexagon

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

C 20
 

Red Quarry Floor Tile Insert with Blue and Yellow Dragon 1926-1929

Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in hexagon

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

C 21
 

Blue, Orange, and White Floral Saracen Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 6 in x 6 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Stock Number

E 700-D
 

Pastel Color Floral Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 6 in x 6 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Daffodil Eight Point Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 7 in x 12.5 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Dandelion Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 6 in x 6 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

General

Custom tile.
 

Green and Brown Diamond Shaped Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 3.5 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Rindge Family Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 4 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Shiny Floral Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Pink and Yellow Hexagon Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 3.5 in x 4 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Circular Black Tile with Blue Flowers 1926-1929

Physical Description: 7 in x 7 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Diamond Pattern Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: Blue, orange, black, green and grey.
Physical Description: 6 in x 6 in

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Black and Yellow Checkered Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Solid Blue Glazed Matte Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.
 

Solid Yellow Glazed Matte Tile 1926-1929

Physical Description: 2 in x 2 in

Provenance

Purchased from Wells Tiles in March 2020.