What sort of tiles come up most often?

Tin-glazed delft accounts for roughly half the category. Blue-and-white or manganese painting on an opaque white glaze, Dutch or English, sold singly, in pairs and in sets. Victorian printed and moulded wall tiles are the next block, about a quarter, made for fireplaces, hallways and washstands.

How old are they usually?

The 18th century is the largest period block, with 43 of 135 listings. That is more than the 19th Century and Victorian entries put together. The dated field as a whole runs 1750 to 1930. Seventeenth-century and Georgian entries appear in small numbers.

Are tiles sold one at a time or in groups?

Both. Singles are common, and "pair" appears in seventeen titles. Larger groups are commonplace too: sets of four, six, seven, eight, nine, twelve, fourteen and sixteen all turn up, along with tile panels and tile pictures made from several tiles mounted as one image.

Do any non-European tiles turn up?

Yes, in small but recurrent numbers. Persian Qajar and late Safavid tiles appear, along with Kubachi pottery tiles of the 17th century and a large script tile. East Asian architectural pieces also surface: Chinese celadon-glazed lion and phoenix roof ridge tiles, and Japanese roof ornaments.

Which factories are named in the listings?

Several firms and designers appear in titles, English and Continental, but each as a one-off rather than a running presence. No maker recurs often enough to call it a category staple. Names reach the page in different ways: stamped on the back, carried on a printed label, or offered as an attribution only.

What subjects appear on Victorian tiles?

Themed series are a running feature. Months of the Year, nursery rhymes, Aesop's Fables, Idylls of the King, Waverley Novels and Shakespeare scenes all appear. Aesthetic and Art Nouveau designs also turn up, alongside plainer moulded and printed patterns.