A Set of 22 Tiles / Wall Panels, so-called ‘Hortenkachel’, designed by Helmut Rhode

in around 1961, for Keramag, Germany, sculptural construction made of glazed ceramics, reverse marked with manufacturer’s stamp and logo. This lot includes 22 tiles, not just 20 as shown in the photo. Dimensions of each tile: c. 55 cm x 55 cm, depth c. 15 cm. (MHA)

An early model in ceramic. Later honeycombs were made with aluminium.

Helmut Rhode originally designed the so-called ‘Hortenkacheln’ tiles in around 1961 for the Horten main administration building, for which he was also responsible as planner. They represent a stylised ‘H’. Put together, the ‘honeycombs’ - as they were also called within the company - reflect the characteristic façade of the Horten department stores. They can be combined freely with each other as both room dividers and wall coverings.

Lit.:
Architektur für den Handel : Kaufhäuser, Einkaufszentren, Galerien; Geschichte und gegenwärtige Tendenzen; mit einem Werkbericht der Architekten RKW, Rhode, Kellermann, Wawrowsky + Partner: Architektur für den Handel, published by Birkhäuser. Birkhäuser, Basel 1996, p. 80.

Provenance:
Formerly part of an early façade cladding of the Horten department store.