Style: Art nouveau
Technique: Embossed majolica
Manufacturer: Carter of Poole
Dimensions: 3" x 6"
Date: 1905 (circa)
An outstanding art nouveau design of tulips
in a very erect and stylised form reminiscent of
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (this came from
Glasgow too). Moulded in very high relief and
with the impressed pattern verso, sign of a
quality tile, made to ensure constant thickness
of clay and improve durability. Few companies
made such high relief tiles they were a
technical challenge but the effect is superb
especially with brilliant glazing as this.
But perhaps the outstanding feature of this
tile is the skill of the modeller for it is both
precise and having great flow of the line. The
symmetry is almost perfect - truly a demanding
skill, the mould was fashioned by a truly
skilled and artistic individual. The skill of
the kilnmaster should not be overlooked for the
near perfect glazing really gives the relief its
definition. The glaze is consistent with the
relief all over, no pooling where there should
not be, brighter where it should be on the high
relief and richer where it is indented.
Verso some minor remnants of mortar, embossed
number (not a pattern number).