Ceramic Tile [NZR]
Maker and role
New Zealand Railways, Commissioned by
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2022.45.5
Maker
Production period
Description
NZR Ceramic Tile.
Hexagonal ceramic tile with slightly raised yellow border. The background of the tile is red and there is a four pointed geometric relief with a yellow border on the front of the tile. The centre of the shape is brown with "N R Z" embossed in the middle of it.
Hexagonal ceramic tile with slightly raised yellow border. The background of the tile is red and there is a four pointed geometric relief with a yellow border on the front of the tile. The centre of the shape is brown with "N R Z" embossed in the middle of it.
Brief History
Around 10,000 of these NZR relief tiles were ordered from Burslem, England for the lower walls and concourse pillars of Auckland's Railway Station. This was the third station building to serve central Auckland situated at 126 Beach Road. It was built between 1928-1930 by the Public Works Department and was designed by William Henry Gummer. The building remains in Auckland today, operating as apartments. It closed as a railway station in 2003 when Britomart became the new terminus and is listed as a Historic Place Category 1.
Burslem, in Stoke-On-Trent, is known for its pottery industry because of the plentiful supply of clay in the area. The six towns of Stoke-on-Trent became collectively referred to as ‘The Potteries’ because of the thriving pottery industry established in the 18th century. Archaeological remains also suggests the Romans and Saxons made pottery in the area, but the earliest finds date from as far back as 2,000 BC.
The station also included other custom tiles supplied from various countries. A newspaper article from the period states that tiles were selected for the building's interior because they combined utility with hygiene, along with aesthetics. It was noted that tiles are easily cleaned and do not decay over time.
Burslem, in Stoke-On-Trent, is known for its pottery industry because of the plentiful supply of clay in the area. The six towns of Stoke-on-Trent became collectively referred to as ‘The Potteries’ because of the thriving pottery industry established in the 18th century. Archaeological remains also suggests the Romans and Saxons made pottery in the area, but the earliest finds date from as far back as 2,000 BC.
The station also included other custom tiles supplied from various countries. A newspaper article from the period states that tiles were selected for the building's interior because they combined utility with hygiene, along with aesthetics. It was noted that tiles are easily cleaned and do not decay over time.
Marks
N R Z Embossed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
New Zealand Railways. Ceramic Tile [NZR], 2022.45.5. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Ceramic Tile [NZR]; New Zealand Railways](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/54503/aa27bb1fc741fc68adc119212eb1cfe6f9972a13.jpg)
![Ceramic Tile [NZR]; New Zealand Railways](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/54510/e828c836ea82d4fb08a6d3f00d72636b4daf684c.jpg)
![Ceramic Tile [NZR]; New Zealand Railways](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/54512/3642c8cd93aeeec978d338a8472a4318cf8f0df7.jpg)
![Ceramic Tile [NZR]; New Zealand Railways](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/54514/1b319439671a57bba30d77b01ff20c4ddbc0f29b.jpg)
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