Perfect. A tubeline dutch scene tile in the manner of
Charlotte Rhead. I have seen this design before
attributed to Rhead yet I am now somewhat
sceptical as to if it is actually by either of
the sisters*. This tile has is an unmarked blank somewhat
similar to those of Corn Brothers prior to about
1908 - 1910, for the time being I am inclined to
only associate the Rhead's work with Simpson and
Boote blanks. I have no doubt that contemporaries would
have sought to imitate the wares of such well
known artists so it is almost inevitable that
reasonably convincing copies or similar wares
were made. It is very difficult or indeed
impossible to identify by styles or even
techniques, some of the apparent copies are just
as finely executed as those with impeccable
provenance. Some with impeccable provenance bear
typical tubelining faults which one might have
thought beneath the sisters however there were
very few makers who did not sell second or even
third quality product for they represent the
same invested cost as a first quality product
and any recovered cost even if not producing a
profit adds to the bottom line. I am also sceptical about attributions to
Rhead of similar tiles on Marsden blanks (marked
M.T. Ltd), whilst the quality of the M.T. tiles
is usually exemplary there is a an indication
that the glaze technology is indeed Marsden's
arther than that used by the Rheads. I have always been an advocate of letting the
wares speak for themselves and stand on their
own merits rather than adding some extra kudos
based on a perceived link to someone with a
famous name. We know a lot of such claims are
wrong, Christopher Dresser is one of the most
notable, Voysey apparently designed many more
tiles than he is recorded as having done.
Mintons tiles proliferate proportionately
greater than they ever did in part because some
well known authorities confuse Campbell Tile Co.
products with those of Mintons. And so it
goes. *Both Charlotte, known as Lottie, and her
sister Dollie decorated tiles in a similar
manner and as far as I am aware it is not
possible to distinguish between their works. Style:
Figural
Condition: Perfect
Price: £380 (approx. $492)
Stock number: 05808
Technique:
Tubeline
Maker: Unknown
Dimensions: 6"
x 6"
Date: 1909
(circa)
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