Period: 20th century Dimensions: 14 x 14 cm (5.5 x 5.5 inches) Description:

Tiles by Ferreira da Silva (1928–2016), a Portuguese artist associated with the revival of artistic ceramics in the second half of the 20th century. Each piece features a geometric composition centered on a quadrangular glass element, in intense shades of cobalt blue and violet, framed by a dark-glazed ceramic surface with green and bluish reflections. The relief decoration that runs along the edges of each tile reinforces the sculptural dimension of the composition. The incorporation of fragmented glass fused during firing allows for the exploration of different effects of transparency, depth, and light reflection, creating a contrast between the ceramic surface and the central glass element.

Ferreira da Silva has distinguished himself on the Portuguese art scene through his experimentation with materials, glazes, and firing processes, developing a style that lies at the intersection of sculptural ceramics, late modernism, and contemporary art. His work is characterized by an exploration of the physical and expressive properties of the material, often employing textured surfaces, geometric reliefs, and chromatic effects resulting from the interaction between different materials. These tiles reflect this artistic exploration, in which ceramics cease to function exclusively as a decorative medium and take on an autonomous dimension, akin to sculpture and geometric abstraction.