Terracotta History - India

The Mangalore  tiles were first introduced to India in 1860 by a German missionary which was the first clay usage found in india in an organized way other than the local handmade bricks used. Plebot set up the first tile factory at Mangalore in 1860, after they found large deposits of clay by the banks of the Gurupura (also Phalguni) and Nethravathi (also Buntwal) rivers

Since then the clay industry grew in india as the abundance of the raw materials and the skilled labor.

As the production became more organized and the demand increased the terracotta industry flourished in india rapidly.

       

Production Of Terracotta Tiles

First part is to collect enough clay and place it in a mold and is cut to exact measurement. Then that rectangular piece of clay with exact length and thickness is placed on another machine which puts the factory logo and shapes it into a tile.

Then with hand any extra clay is removed and sent to be carried for firing and later glazing. It was interesting to say the least to see how both men and women worked cooperatively to produce the final product.It is a very delicate and detailed process starting from collection of clay to the final product to be fired. Once fired and glazed it is ready and is stored for shipping

The color of terracotta varies with the source of the clay. London clay gives a pale pink or buff co lour, whereas the Ruabon (North Wales) clay gives a bright red. And in India it varies considerably with the available clay

The current developments in terracotta tiles is unpredictable. Complete automated factories due to the change in socio- economic scenario of the country and to improve the quality and consistence are increasing.

Dust processed tiles are another notable development in the terracotta industry. Which leads to more strength and the quality of the product considerably increases.

The race for the quality is going on and on...

The main reason clay roof tiles enjoy such popularity is because of the product itself. Clay roof tiles have been around for centuries and have proven their durability.

Some Facts about Terra cotta

• The word Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is originated from Italian word "baked earth",in Latin terra cocta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic.
• The reddish Color of terra-cotta materials is due to the presence of the iron content in terracotta. The shades of red varies according to the composition of the iron content in the raw materials used in the production

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Alizarin	Amaranth	Burgundy	Cardinal	Carmine	Carnelian	Cerise	Chestnut	Coral Red
Dark pink	Falu Red	Fire Engine Red	Fuchsia	Magenta	Maroon	Mauve Taupe	Orange-Red	Persian Red
Persimmon	Red	Red-Violet	Rose	Rose Madder	Ruby	Rust	Puce	Sangria
Terra Cotta	Upsdell Red	Venetian Red	Vermilion

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History of Terracotta - World*

The oldest shaped bricks found date back to 7,500 B.C.They have been found in Çayönü, in the upper Tigris region, and in south east Anatolia close to Diyarbakir. Other more recent findings, dated between 7,000 and 6,395 B.C., come from Jericho and Catal Hüyük. From archaeological evidence, the invention of the fired brick (as opposed to the considerably earlier sun-dried mud brick) is believed to have arisen in about the third millennium BC in West India.

The bible, in the book of Exodus, tells how Pharaoh forced the Israelites to make bricks without providing any straw for their manufacture and how his oppression led to their leaving Egypt for the promised land. These ancient bricks were former of mud and straw and were dried by the heat of the sun. They were not very stable or durable. From about 3500 BC the technique of firing bricks in a kiln was discovered

In the medieval period, the revival of the craft took place first along the eastern seaboard, where contacts with the continent were strongest and provided a strong fire proof alternative to thatching. In 1212 AD, King John issued building by-laws for London to eliminate combustible roof coverings and replace them with tiles. Since that time, clay has been a highly sought-after material.

By the 18th century, tiles had become the standard roof covering wherever there was an abundant local supply of suitable raw materials, a source of fuel and a thriving craft tradition. The production of clay tiles began as a very small scale industry, with many districts having only one source of supply. Over time, roofers developed their own construction detailing and distinctive methods of laying roofs that provided their neighborhoods with distinctive local appearance and indigenous form old building.

Mid 18th century - Albemarle Row, Clifton

The process of industrialization and the improvements to the national transportation network in the 19th century led to a widespread use of machine made, though still distinctive, clay roof claddings.

Now, in the 21st century, the quality of the built environment is becoming increasingly important and planners are kept to preserve the heritage and regional variation that remains. A panoramic look across the rooftops everywhere with each region set apart from the rest by its own, distinct clay roof tile heritage.

*Source: Wikipedia and various other books and web sites. Bangalore Tile Company is not responsible for the authenticity of the information