What are witjes?
Witjes are traditional Dutch wall tiles of white tin-glazed earthenware, or replicas of them. From the sixteenth century the Netherlands had a thriving tile culture, and plain white wall tiles were widely used in kitchens, hallways, cellars and around fireplaces. Today they are mainly used in restoration work and in interiors with a historic character.
How they were made
Traditionally the tile was cut from leather-hard clay using a square wooden template of about 13 x 13 cm. Small nails in the corners held the template in place, which is why handmade tiles often show tiny holes in the corners. The clay was cut at an angle, so the back is slightly smaller than the face. Machine-pressed tiles have no nail holes.
Laying
Thanks to the tapered edges, witjes could be laid with almost invisible joints, traditionally in lime mortar. For tile pictures this matters, because the image continues almost unbroken across the tiles.
Restoration tips
- Avoid cement mortar or modern tile adhesive on historic lime backgrounds without expert advice; they are harder and less vapour-open.
- Measure old tiles before ordering replicas; size and thickness vary by period and maker.
- Remove originals carefully and keep them.
- For listed buildings, consult the local authority first.
Related terms
- Quarry tile
- Plain tile
- Lime mortar
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