Maiolica is a technique rich in culture and history. It is a term for white tin glaze on earthenware clay, decorated with coloured stains. It has its roots in the medieval Islamic world. Maiolica isbelieved to have come through the port of Mallorca, hence the name, to Spain and Italy and later to the rest of Europe. There it became known as Delftware and Fayence. Eventually it traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Mexico where it is called Talavera. Maiolica is a difficult technique to master but truly is a passion of mine. It should not be put into the microwave. While it could go into the dishwasher it is better hand washed. I feel it is a little piece of luxury that brightens everyday life and is bound to make you feel special. I hope you enjoy your piece of maiolica as much as I enjoyed making it.

Anke's maiolica bowls are wheel thrown in earthenware clay. The bowls are glazed in a white tin glaze and decorated with coloured stains and oxides. They are fired to a low temperature. Some of the bowls are fired for a third time applying gold luster for more detail and richness.

Anke's tile murals start out as a acrylic painting, to work out the colours and design. From the painting Anke makes a template and hand cuts her irregular earthenware shaped tiles. The tiles are carefully dried, allowing just a small amount of warping to emphasize the handmade look. After a few days, the tiles are bisque fired. They are glazed in a white Maiolica glaze and painted with coloured stains and oxides. Detail is added with scrafito, again working from the original painting. Gold luster is added to the tiles after the glaze firing to get more detail and richness and then fired for the third time. The tile are glued to a wall or on plywood and then grouted. They are available framed in terracotta or goldleaf.

The subjects range from narrative pieces, southern and local landscapes, streetscapes, heritage buildings and figurative work, often done in a collage style.