New York tiles, SET of 17 Handmade COPPER tiles. Total size: 19.69'' x 19.69'' (50cm x 50cm)

Details

New York - Handmade Copper Tile


Total size: 19.69'' x 19.69'' (50cm x 50cm)

Material - 100% Copper, Covered with patina and wax.

This handmade, one off, rustic copper tile showing iconic places worth seeing in New York shows only some of those ones I personally love the most about this city and an apple which is one of its oldest and most famous icons. Moreover, it is surrounded with 4 copper star tiles and 12 plain copper tiles. There are 17 tiles in total. Stars surrounding this copper tile were not a random choice - they contribute to the U.S. flag and 50 stars placed there represent 50 states, 50 individual places, 50 sources of inspiration, full of diversity and artists. To me, the most special icon is the Statue of Liberty (which is actually made of 179,000 pounds of copper!) - a gift from France, an icon of independence (holding a tile with an important date in her hand - the date of the Declaration of Independence). It means a lot to me because I can remember myself looking at her from the Staten Island Ferry when I was not brave enough to be independent as an artist, when making copper art was only a hobby. I made a list of risks and benefits on that ferry. The numbers and the importance of the possible benefits won so I've decided to take this risk. Secondly, NYC is called a Big Apple but it has nothing to do with the fact that New York state is second top apple grower in America, after the state of Washington. The history of this city's nickname started in 1920, during horseracing, then it was used in a tourism campaign when the city was most popular for high crime rates and economic woes and (believe me or not!) individuals were afraid to come there. An apple, the symbol of NYC was everywhere - on T-shirts, pins, all promotional items. Ever since tourists were invited to take a bit out of the Big Apple, the name stuck. I wish I could include everything what most of NYC lovers cherish about this place but taking the Copper Lady, Rockefeller, Chrysler and Verizon building into consideration was the best I could think of - and what I was able to include in a piece of copper! If I could add something, that would be only one of Frank Sinatra's songs...



Installation and maintenance

My durable products are 0.2" thick (6 mm) and very easy to install - just like regular tiles, using about 0.18" (3 mm) grout. Moreover, the maintenance is not a problem. Use 1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent and 2 cups of warm water or mild soap solution. Use a soft cloth or rag, not an abrasive sponge, nor a pad. When cleaning the tile's surface, wipe it gently then rinse the cloth or rag with warm water. Wipe the tile's surface until you make sure that any soap or dishwashing detergent residue is removed. Then dry the surface with a soft cloth or a rag.