Katarína Holbová
The production of tiles and construction of tile ovens is a branch of the ceramic and jug making craft in Slovakia. Ceramic ovens and fireplaces started to spread in the village environment in the 18th Century. The collections of Tekovské museum contain more than 300 fragments of tiles from the 14th to 18th Century and a collection of more than 330 chamber ceramic tiles. Up to the mid 1950’s, tiles were mainly decorated by plastic plant or geometric patterns. This composition was used for the whole front or divided front wall. Plastic stylized plant or floral decoration can mainly be found on the undivided side. Tiles from the 1920’s to 1940’s were mainly non-decorated with a smooth surface, or the plastic decoration was simpler and less sophisticated. Oven extensions for a clay oven standing in the corner of a room were typical for village households of the 19th Century. In the 20th Century in-built ovens or combined heating sets (an oven for baking bread, stove, oven for general baking and vessel for heating water) being a part of the household interior were typical. The tile craft is experiencing a revival. Museum collections of ceramic tiles and oven plaster forms should help with the study of the history of this nearly extinct craft.