Fanø tile collection
The Fanø Tile Collection is one of Denmark's most beautiful collections of Dutch wall tiles from 1650 to 1900. The Fanø Tile Collection was assembled by the artist Jørgen von Hahn. In 1998, the collection was acquired by the Gamle Sønderho Foundation.
FANØ TILES
Manganese vase tiles
The population of Fanø found the tiles both practical and beautiful and initially used them to reflect the radiant heat behind the tile stoves. Later, entire walls were covered with tiles.
All of Fanø's tiles are produced in Friesland, Holland.
Tiles with vase motifs are the most common on Fanø and are often referred to as Fanø tiles.
THE HISTORY OF TILES
The tile culture on Fanø is closely linked to the island's heyday as the home of one of Denmark's largest sailing fleets.
Fanø's sailing ships crossed the world's oceans for 200 years, and especially in the late 19th century, sailors brought back large quantities of tiles. Initially, the tiles were used as ballast souvenirs on journeys from Holland to Denmark.
Around 1900, when the golden age of sailing ships ended, the practice of bringing back tiles also ceased.
In some houses, the tiles were damaged during renovations between 1920 and 1970, but now the tile culture is respected again.
Nowhere else in the Nordic region are tiles found in such large quantities and variations as on Fanø. Therefore, Fanø is considered to have a tile culture.
The Fanø Tile Collection was assembled by the artist Jørgen von Hahn. In 1998, the collection was acquired by the Gamle Sønderho Foundation with contributions from:
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The Hartmann Brothers Foundation
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The Alice and Tage Sørensen Foundation
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The A.P. Møller and Wife's Foundation
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Fanø Savings and Loan Bank
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The Ny Carlsberg Foundation
Biblical tiles
TILE WALL
In ordinary houses, colourful arrangements of different patterns and motifs on the same wall testify to frugality.
