The first terracotta roofing tiles were imported from France in 1892. They were immediately successful, and by 1897, it was said that “no modern villa residence is complete without them.” Commonly known in Australia as Marseilles tiles, they were produced by nine tileries near Marseilles, and by one Italian firm.

The Wunderlich Co., the principal importer, brought 75 million of these tiles into Australia between 1892 and 1914; that’s enough to roof 40,000 Australian homes — many of them still keeping the weather out.

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