Comments on: Simon Pettet’s Delft Tiles

By: Charlotte lorimer

Charlotte lorimer — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 08:51:07 +0000

So glad I had read this before visiting Dennis Severs’ house yesterday. Slightly embarrassed to stick my head into the fireplace with a lit fire.

By: Nelly

Nelly — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:48:57 +0000

Would love to know more about this fireplace. Does the “1635” mean that it was created in that year (as opposed, perhaps, to the building of the house)? And was the fireplace created specifically for this house, or was it originally located elsewhere?

The Delft-like tiles are intriguing. So much work went into them that it’s almost a pity they’re positioned within the fire-place!

By: jeannette

jeannette — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:18:52 +0000

wit and comity live forever. thank you for this.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:57:18 +0000

These are fun, and what a lovely portrait of Simon, he looks so friendly and so kind. May he rest in peace after his tragic end.

By: Roy Stephenson

Roy Stephenson — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:48:33 +0000

The tiles have an astounding likeness to 17th C. tin glazed tiles produced in Southwark and Lambeth. Apart from the subject matter, they are really difficult to tell them apart. The super thing, as I understand, about painting on these tiles, that this no rubbing out and starting again. The fluid and organic results are what the tile painter put down first go, some used tracings but the final flair was free hand. These are utterly fabulous.

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:57:27 +0000

Thanks for bringing back memories of that magical house. I was overwhelmed with so much emotion when I visited. Truly a trip back in time. I am so grateful the house has been preserved with all its character and charm.

By: Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 15:14:06 +0000

Don’t wish to be a pedant, but you don’t actually die from AIDS, you die from Aids related conditions like pneumonia or Cancer.
Anyway, that aside, I probably should actually visit this house the next time I get to London. It’s been on my list for several years, but never get around to it. Thanks for sharing.

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:59:10 +0000

What a fantastic series, they are magical!
What a lovely tribute to art and friendship and fun.

By: Jason Dowler

Jason Dowler — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:29:25 +0000

This brings back such fond and enduringly happy memories of my own Spitalfields years – living at 37 Fournier Street from 1983 to 1988. Dennis and Simon were great friends and I remember Simon’s fireplace with great affection and admiration. I am on a tile somewhere there, represented by the scales of justice [a professional reference] and a lyre [a reference to my enduring love of Greek music and song]. A lot of the other people mentioned in the article and / or depicted on the tiles shown were also good friends. There was always such a wonderful sense of community. That is such a lovely photograph of dear Simon, just as I always remember him.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:06:47 +0000

Cleverly subversive. It’s a reminder that not everything is what it seems!