Incredibly Rare 1920s-30s Original Malibu Tile Fountain Spanish Tile Fountain

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Description

There are objects that simply exist, and then there are objects that define an era. This extraordinary wall fountain was … Read more There are objects that simply exist, and then there are objects that define an era. This extraordinary wall fountain was created during the golden age of Southern California design and represents the very best of Malibu Pottery craftsmanship. Complete fountains of this caliber almost never survive intact, let alone with their original mural, coordinating field tiles, and period spitter. This is not merely decorative—it is a surviving architectural treasure from the height of the Spanish Revival movement.

Malibu Pottery was founded in 1926 by Rufus B. Keeler and operated for less than a decade before closing in 1932. Despite its short lifespan, the company produced some of the most celebrated and collectible American tiles ever made. Inspired by Spanish, Moorish, Persian, and Mediterranean design, each Malibu tile was hand-made and hand-glazed, resulting in subtle variations that give installations their unmistakable depth, warmth, and character. Today, Malibu Pottery tiles are highly sought after, particularly when found in complete architectural compositions such as fountains.

This wall fountain features a hand-painted Malibu Pottery tile mural at its center, depicting a stylized urn overflowing with flowering branches and birds—an enduring symbol of abundance and Mediterranean garden design. The mural is framed by richly glazed Malibu field tiles with intricate repeating patterns and deep, luminous colors.

At the top is an original Gladding, McBean ceramic spitter, beautifully sculpted and finished in a striking turquoise glaze. The spitter adds both sculptural presence and functional elegance, designed to release water gracefully into the basin below.

Included with the fountain is an extensive group of additional original Malibu tiles intended for the construction of the base or bowl. The tiles are not currently set, allowing flexibility in layout and installation while preserving full period authenticity.

This fountain is priced to reflect its exceptional rarity, completeness, and historical significance. Fully intact Malibu Pottery fountains with original hand-painted murals, matching period field tiles, and an original Gladding, McBean spitter are extraordinarily scarce, with many known examples long lost, altered, or permanently installed in landmark properties. The short production window of Malibu Pottery, combined with the survival of this complete ensemble, makes true replacement impossible at any price. The value reflects not only the materials, but the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire an irreplaceable artifact of California’s Spanish Revival golden age.

The main wall fountain composition measures approximately 61 inches tall by 33 1/2 inches wide. The accompanying fountain bowl measures approximately 5 feet wide by 21 1/2 inches tall. See less