Pressed metal ceilings or tin ceilings were
popular from the second half of the 19th century
and the early 20th century as an affordable
alternative to expensive, artistic plaster.
Tin-plated steel was pressed with embossed
designs similar to the costly sculptured
plaster, yet tin ceiling panels could be massed
produced at a fraction of the cost. Listed are
images from the Library of Congress of period
tin ceilings showing the wide variety of
designs. Click on each link below for a look at
original tin ceilings.