In Portugal and Spain, hand painted ceramic tilework are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses and even train stations or subway stations. They were not only used as an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity like temperature control at homes. Many "azulejos" (as we use to call them) chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.
I decided to build up a gallery based on this subject. Here are some:
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...much more here: http://ruilopes.smugmug.com/CERAMICS-STAINED-GLASS-AND