The Magic of Friedland's Red Clay
Sought-After Territory Known as "Red Peace Land" Draws Global Attention
Situated close to Friedland, a town steeped in history, red clay has been dug, processed, and transformed for over two centuries. In its raw state, this clay is a striking blue-gray, rich in iron, which turns vibrant red upon heating. Initially, this prized "Friedlander Red Clay" was primarily used to craft bricks and roof tiles. But things took an exciting turn at the end of the 19th century.
W. Lindemann, purchasing the antiquated brickworks in 1892, transformed it into a contemporary steam brick factory. This transformation ignited a production boom that soon extended beyond bricks and tiles, encompassing paving stones and ornate brickworks. However, it was when Gustav Caesar, the technical director, perfected a high-quality floor tile - quickly gaining widespread acclaim - that the focus shifted entirely to these tiles.
Tiles Recognized Globally
Paralleling this shift, advancements were made throughout the factory. Hydraulic presses were installed, and the oven area was expanded. From 1906 to 1908, a second tile factory arose in Friedland under Gustav Caesar's leadership. However, both factories merged in 1908, forming the "United Mosaic Tile Works Friedland". Two years later, they merged with the Mosaic Tile Works in Sinzig, giving birth to "United Mosaic Tile Works Friedland-Sinzig AG".
During this period, the "Red Friedlander" embarked on its global conquest. Produced in various formats, they became a coveted building material worldwide, particularly for outfitting grand kitchens and sophisticated laboratories. Even today, kitchen floorings and lab tables crafted from these enduring tiles can be found in numerous locations. The raw material for tile production was sourced from expansive clay deposits still being mined today.
Scandinavian Imprint
The "Friedlander Red Clay" is an ancient mineral resource that took shape approximately 65 million years ago as a marine deposit during the Tertiary geological period. The colossal Scandinavian inland ice, scraping off the clay in a massive slab, transported it southwards through the glaciers. As the ice melted, the clay eventually rest in Friedland, along with other glacial sediments.
Collectors have always been drawn to the clay pits around Friedland, and it continues to intrigue them today. There, one may discover fascinating fossils, minerals, and amber. One of the unusual features of the site is siderite and phosphorite concretions - irregularly shaped, often round or elongated mineral bodies containing fossils. The presence of fossilized crabs and shark excrement suggests the clay's formation in water.
Dark phosphorite nodules, gleaming with pyrite, were once highly prized by collectors. Cut, ground, and polished, these minerals were transformed into stunning jewelry pieces. Today, many polished Friedlander phosphorites can be found in mineral collections throughout Germany.
Amber discoveries have also been made repeatedly in the "Siedlungsscholle" mine, still operational today. One such amber piece, weighing an impressive 390 grams, is part of the municipal museum's collection. Most amber was found on the floor of the mine, often in small pools of water, as the fossil resin was washed out from the mining walls by rainfall.
Although tile production in Friedland ceased after 1989, the mining of this natural resource persisted on the city's outskirts. Now, this resource serves as a raw material for the production of various biotechnology products. Access to the clay pit is currently limited to collectors, with permission granted by the operating companies. Exploring and collecting within the clay pit, however, is fraught with danger due to the storage conditions.
For a deeper dive into the history and processing of the Friedlander clay, head to the Friedland city museum in Mühlenstraße. Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm, with appointments available on Saturday and Sunday (Tel. 039601 26779, E-Mail: [email protected])
- The transformation of the steam brick factory in Friedland, initially used for manufacturing bricks and tiles, led to advancements that expanded production to include paving stones and ornate brickworks, ultimately focusing entirely on high-quality floor tiles, which gained worldwide attention in the global finance industry.
- During the mining process of the "Friedlander Red Clay", collectors often discover fascinating fossils, minerals, and amber, such as the 390-gram amber piece found in the "Siedlungsscholle" mine. This mineral-rich resource, once used in jewelry making, now serves as a raw material for the production of various biotechnology products in the evolving manufacturing industry.
