- Style/technique: Pictorial majolica
- Manufacturer: J H Barratt
- Dimensions: 6" x 12"
- Date: circa 1920
One of a pair of popular Victorian figural tiles of
Dickensian characters first made by Sherwin & Cotton
in the late 19th century this made in the early twentieth
century by J H Barratt. One of the earliest moulded
figural works of George Cartlidge this pair are the
precursor to his famous Émaux Ombrants tile
portraits. Many were of famous people but he produced
many other works both figural and floral. Many other
companies produced majolica portrait tiles but rarely
matched the excellence of George Cartlidge/Sherwin &
Cotton and few made tiles by the more complex and
demanding Émaux Ombrants process. These tiles are
made in a kind of cross between the majolica and
Émaux Ombrants processes, an embossed and indented
moulded clay body with a very translucent glaze in a
natural olive green/brown.
When Sherwin & Cotton were taken over by Johnsons
in 1911 Cartlidge was partner in a new company Adams
& Cartlidge but the timing was ill-fated due to the
oncoming war. He later took his patterns and skills to J
H Barratt before leaving the tile industry to make
pottery designs, his famous 'Morrisware' and even more
evocative designs from his own studio.