STUDIES, RECORDS AND RESCUES OF HYDRAULIC TILES IN SÃO JOÃO DEL-REI/MG

Abstract

The current study inventories hydraulic tile models found in historic buildings in São João del-Rei/MG, as well as research into the history of this material and its production techniques. Many consider hydraulic tile to be an art form. It is essentially a plate composed of cement and sand to which pigments are added to create surfaces with the most diverse color palettes and textures/geometries. It was used in houses, castles, and public buildings throughout Europe before being imported to Brazil, primarily from Portugal, France, and Belgium. In the middle of the 19th century, the tile manufacturing techniques were passed down to the immigrants living in Brazil, and this was the beginning of its manufacture. This study included an investigation, cataloging, and demonstration of the use of hydraulic tile in some buildings, with the city of São João del-Rei proving to have a large collection of this material.