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.