Hand-Painted Decorative Tiles
Thirty-four hand-painted decorative tiles, drawn and painted by brush in our Jerusalem workshop and fired above 1,000 °C. Ceramic for walls and backsplashes, porcelain for floors and high-traffic areas. $20 a tile at 6″×6″, $30 at 8″×8″.
$20 per 6″×6″ tile$30 per 8″×8″ tileCeramic & porcelain$100 minimum order + shippingShips to all 50 statesCustom patterns & sizes
Decorative Tiles Collection
Fish light blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Fish off-white — 6" x 6" — $20
Fish dark blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Kema light blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Kema off-white — 6" x 6" — $20
Kema dark blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Middle East dark blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Middle East off-white — 6" x 6" — $20
Middle East light blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Lori off-white — 6" x 6" — $20
Lori light blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Lori dark blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Persian blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Persian brown — 6" x 6" — $20
Persian green — 6" x 6" — $20
Nano dark blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Nano light blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Nano off-white — 6" x 6" — $20
Floral multicolor — 6" x 6" — $20
Floral blue — 6" x 6" — $20
Floral black/Grey — 6" x 6" — $20
Floral brown — 6" x 6" — $20
Square dance off-white series — 6" x 6" — $20
Square dance off-white series — 6" x 6" — $20
Square dance off-white series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance light blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance light blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance light blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance dark blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance dark blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance dark blue series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance brown series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance brown series — 6" x 6" — $20
Circular dance brown series — 6" x 6" — $20
Decorative Tiles by Motif and Colour
Fish Decorative Tiles: Off-white, dark blue, and light blue fish motifs.
Kema Decorative Tiles: Classic ceramic patterns in light blue, off-white, and dark blue.
Middle East Decorative Tiles: Elaborate patterns with birds in a variety of colors.
Lori Decorative Tiles: Pale blue and off-white with designs reminiscent of Persia.
Persian Decorative Tiles: Blue and brown patterns made by hand.
Nano Decorative Tiles: Contemporary, creative designs in light and dark blue.
Floral Decorative Tiles: Vibrant patterns in multicolor, blue, black/grey, and brown.
Square Dance & Circular Dance Series: Geometric and circular hand-painted designs in off-white and light blue.
Technical Specifications & Sizes
| Materials | Ceramic and porcelain. The same hand-painted patterns are made in both. |
|---|---|
| Which to choose | Ceramic for walls, backsplashes, borders and accents. Porcelain for floors and high-traffic areas — it is denser, harder and less porous than standard ceramic, and stands up to foot traffic, moisture and frost. |
| Standard size | 6″ × 6″ (15 × 15 cm) — $20 per tile |
| Larger size | 8″ × 8″ (20 × 20 cm) — $30 per tile |
| Border tiles | 6″ × 3″ border tiles, from our hand-painted subway tile range |
| Custom sizes | Made to order — tell us the dimensions |
| Decoration | Hand-painted underglaze, applied by brush one tile at a time |
| Firing | Above 1,000 °C in the workshop’s own kilns |
| Finish | Glazed. The colour is fired beneath the glaze, so it will not fade in sunlight or wear off with cleaning. |
| Minimum order | $100, plus shipping |
| Samples | A single tile delivered to your door by DHL is $60, shipping included — and it is a finished tile you can set into the wall. |
| Custom work | Custom patterns, colourways and sizes made in the workshop |
| Shipping | Door to door to all 50 US states |
Why 6×6? The 6″×6″ (15×15 cm) square is our standard module: it repeats cleanly into a grid, pairs with our 6″×3″ borders and corner pieces, and is the size most US backsplashes, stair risers and fireplace surrounds are designed around. The same patterns are made at 8″×8″ where a larger scale suits the wall.
How Our Tiles Compare
Most decorative tile sold in the United States is printed — the pattern is applied by an inkjet head and then glazed. It is inexpensive, it is consistent, and it repeats. Ours is drawn and painted by a person, one tile at a time. That is the whole difference, and the reason a Balian backsplash does not look like anyone else’s.
| Balian hand-painted | Printed ceramic & porcelain | Glass mosaic | Marble & natural stone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How the pattern is made | Drawn and painted by hand in Jerusalem | Inkjet-printed, then glazed | No pattern — colour is in the glass | Natural veining, no pattern |
| Repeats | No two tiles are identical | Repeats every few tiles | n/a | n/a |
| Colour permanence | Fired under the glaze above 1,000 °C | Print sits beneath a thin glaze | Integral to the glass | Integral to the stone |
| Custom pattern or size | Yes — drawn and painted to your brief | No | No | Cut to size only |
| Floors | Yes, in the porcelain version | Yes | Not usually | Yes |
| Sealing & upkeep | None | None | Grout-sensitive | Needs periodic sealing; stains |
| Minimum order | $100 — a handful of tiles | Often full boxes or pallets | Sold by the sheet | Sold by the slab |
| Best use | Backsplashes, accents, borders, fireplace surrounds, risers, patterned floors | Large plain areas | Wet areas and pools | Floors, worktops, large areas |
Care & Maintenance
Wipe with a soft cloth and a mild or pH-neutral cleaner; no bleach or abrasive pads. The colour is fired under the glaze, so it will not fade in sunlight or wear off with cleaning. In showers and wet rooms, seal the grout lines and re-seal once a year. Keep a few spare tiles from your original batch so any future repair matches exactly.
Are You All Set to Design Your Ideal Space?
Start creating now by looking through our exclusive selection of hand-painted patterns and decorative tiles!
Contact us for more information!
Painted in Jerusalem Since 1922
The workshop was founded in 1922 by Armenian ceramicists who had come to Jerusalem to work on the restoration of the tilework of the Dome of the Rock. The same family runs it today, and the tiles on this page are still painted here by hand — brush on unfired glaze, no transfers, no printing, nothing outsourced.
That is why no two Balian tiles are identical, and why we can paint a pattern that does not exist yet. Send a drawing, a photograph or a room measurement and we will make it. Custom tiles are ordinary work here, not a special service.
Where Decorative Tiles Work: Walls, Floors & Outdoors
The most common US order is a kitchen backsplash — often a single painted row above the counter rather than a full wall, which is where hand-painted tile earns its cost. After that come bathroom walls and showers, fireplace surrounds, stair risers, borders and accent panels.
On floors. The same patterns are made in porcelain, which is denser and harder than standard ceramic and stands up to foot traffic. Choose the porcelain version for entryways, hallways, kitchen and bathroom floors, and for outdoor walls, patios and garden panels where sun and frost are a factor. For pools and waterlines we make a dedicated porcelain waterline tile.
Tiles are $20 each at 6″×6″ and $30 at 8″×8″, with a $100 minimum order plus shipping. Not sure how many tiles a run needs? Send us the measurement and we will work it out with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Decorative Tiles
Are Balian decorative tiles ceramic or porcelain?
Both. The same hand-painted patterns are made in ceramic and in porcelain. Ceramic is used for walls, backsplashes, borders and accents; porcelain is denser and harder, so it is the one to choose for floors, high-traffic areas and exposed outdoor work. Every tile is fired above 1,000 °C, so the colour sits under the glaze and cannot wear off.
How much do decorative tiles cost?
$20 per 6″ × 6″ tile and $30 per 8″ × 8″ tile, the same price in ceramic or porcelain. The minimum order is $100 plus shipping.
Can decorative tiles be used on floors?
Yes, in the porcelain version. Porcelain is less porous and harder than standard ceramic and handles foot traffic, moisture and frost. Tell us the room when you order and we will make your pattern in porcelain.
Do you ship decorative tiles to the USA?
Yes, to all fifty states, door to door. Each tile is packed individually and boxed for transit. Customers across the USA, from California to Florida, have received their orders safely.
How long does an order take?
Every tile is painted to order in the Jerusalem workshop, so the lead time depends on the size of the order and what else is on the bench. Contact us with your quantity and we will give you a firm date before you commit.
Can I order a sample before committing?
Yes. A single tile sent to your door by DHL is $60 with shipping included. It is a finished tile, not a swatch — you can set it straight into the wall, and it is the surest way to judge the colour and the glaze in your own light.
Can you paint a custom pattern or size?
Yes. Custom colourways, custom patterns and custom sizes are all made in the workshop. Send a drawing, a photograph or a room measurement and we will work from it.
How do I clean and care for hand-painted tiles?
Mild detergent, warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals, which attack the glaze. Because the pattern is fired underneath the glaze rather than printed on top of it, it will not fade in sunlight or wear off with cleaning.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain decorative tiles?
Both are fired clay. Porcelain is made from a finer, denser body, which makes it harder and less porous — better for floors, wet areas and outdoor use. Ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, which makes it the practical choice for walls and backsplashes. Balian makes the same hand-painted patterns in both, at the same price.
What Our US Customers Say
4.9 out of 5 ★★★★★ from more than 120 Google reviews
Dave & Sue Chrostek ★★★★★(CA, USA)
"We ordered tiles for a feature element in our kitchen backsplash and are delighted with the final appearance. While visiting Jerusalem in 2019 we had visited the Armenian Ceramics shop and remembered how beautiful their products were. We found their website and sent an email to them to order our tiles. Nanor was very helpful in confirming our order, setting up payment and shipping the tiles to us. Our shipment arrived well packaged with no breakage. The tiles are a beautiful and will serve as a lasting reminder of our visit. Thank you, Dave C."
Lisa Buck — ★★★★★ ( USA)
"We have purchased many lovely pieces from Armenian Ceramics of Jerusalem-Balian on several trips to Jerusalem. My recent order by mail was seamless. Excellent customer service through the entire process. Every piece, no matter the size, is a work of art. Thank you!"
Discover Our Collection of Hand-Painted Decorative Tiles
Waterline Pool Tiles: Sun-safe and elegant, perfect for pools and fountains.
Subway Tiles: Classic style with hand-painted floral or wave details.
Accent Tiles: Small touches that brighten any space.
Fireplace Tiles: Heat-resistant and made to stand out.
Black & White Tiles: Timeless, simple, and stylish.
