Historical information

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.

Physical description

Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the second bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s white marble mantel, obliquely positioned in the northwest corner of the room (one of two examples in the house) is the most ornate mantel in the first floor bedrooms. The central visual element in the mantel is an upturned conch shell surrounded by stylised foliage and flowers. The two upright carved supports of the mantel are sinuously carved in all almost rococo manner. The mantel is inset with monochrome surround tiles and ornate polychrome glazed tiles in a manner reminiscent of Ottoman Iznik tile work. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.