Tiles and Cherubs - A Match Made in Portugal

We checked out the tile museum last week, where we learned a little bit about how the tiles were made and, as you probably would imagine, saw lots and lots of tiles.  it was neat to see all the possibilities though.

sometimes a tile will just have a flowery or geometric pattern like this:

From Carrots from Heaven

While walking around Lisbon, we often see tiles like the one above covering buildings.

The tile museum also had a lot of examples of murals - where Portuguese artists told stories and painted pictures straight onto the tiles.  During our tour of the museum I was reminded of my love for those always misproportioned, and often disturbing little tykes - cherubs! 

To ease you into their beauty, check out this angelic little fellow:

From Carrots from Heaven

Then there was this little guy, who from his expression is clearly sniffing a pile of poop.  

From Carrots from Heaven

Then we continue the downward spiral of cherub awesomeness.

From Carrots from Heaven

What's that?  Where are all the half-goat cherubs?  

From Carrots from Heaven

And of course, who else but a cherub would drive the chariot of the gods straight from the sea?

From Carrots from Heaven

I also particularly enjoyed this pedestal of angelic little heads

From Carrots from Heaven

Finally, I'll leave you with the most disturbing images of the bunch.  Frankly, I am at a loss for words, and apparently so was the tile museum because there was no explanation posted there either...

From Carrots from Heaven

From Carrots from Heaven

What the hell?!