Portuguese tiles, originating from the Arabic “az-zulayj” meaning “small polished stones,” were introduced by the Moors and later adapted by the Portuguese. In modern days, Portuguese tiles often combined Italian “majolica” painting techniques with Chinese blue-and-white porcelain patterns to create the distinctive glazed tiles seen in palaces and churches. After the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the “Pombalinos” style emerged, blending industrial and handcrafted methods, making tiles widely available beyond nobility and clergy.
Portuguese tiles, introduced to Macau over 400 years ago, are now a key element of its architectural and cultural identity. Recognized by Macau’s Cultural Affairs Bureau as Intangible Cultural Heritage, these tiles reflect a blend of Chinese and Western cultures. Originating from the Italian majolica technique and influenced by Ming porcelain, they incorporate local themes and symbolise the harmonious Chinese-Portuguese cultural fusion in Macau’s diverse urban landscape.
The tile is coated with a liquid glaze composed of water, silica, aluminium, and other modifiers like lead, potassium, sodium, calcium, and zinc, with tin added to make it opaque. Excess glaze is then trimmed and the tile is cleaned.
The artist sketches the design on tracing paper, perforates it, and transfers the outline onto the glazed tile using coal powder. Cobalt blue is used for painting, with different brushes for detailed lines and broader strokes.
Method 2: Incense KneadingMix the incense powder and water to make the paste, place the sticks on and rub until the powder is and covered on the sticks.
Finally, the tiles are arranged to form the complete design as intended.
Portuguese tiles have evolved from adorning palaces and churches to becoming a staple in architecture, public transport, and home decor since the 19th century. In Macau, the craft persists with artisans conducting workshops and integrating tile designs into local structures and souvenirs. Predominantly commissioned by official bodies and the hospitality sector, these tiles, featuring blue, white, and yellow hues, are ubiquitous in Macau’s urban landscape, showcasing motifs from nature, history, and religion.
Sérgio Feiteira arrived in Macau in 2018 and has a passion in ceramic production, including Portuguese tiles. He worked closely with Portuguese tile masters and has developed several projects and cooperations with various institutions and associations in Macau. Today, he continues to work in this field with personal projects and workshops.
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