A great pair of nature study tiles of
swallow and kingfisher printed in mid brown,
painted in an array bright colours including
sky blue, royal blue and mauve and
brilliantly glazed. Not often found,
sometimes found in plain brown prints as are
a few other patterns apparently from the same
series. Most often seen as the centrepieces
in cast iron fireplace cheeks. Maker unknown
but almost certainly a decorator rather than
a specialist tile manufacturer. Birds are fairly uncommon on mass-produced
victorian tiles perhaps as many people had
moved in to cities and birds in houses were
considered bad luck by some. When living in
the countryside in nineteenth century England
birds in the house were a common problem,
difficult to get out and liable to mess when
disturbed. Minton, Hollins & Co. produced
more bird tiles than any other many in
similar style to those by W. B. Simpson. Versos unmarked, clean but some smoke
stain. Condition:Excellent Ref: 06718/9 Left tile: one tiny rim chip, scratch on wing,
glazing flaws bottom left corner, other very minor
marks. Right tile: tiny chip, shave bottom left corner,
other very minor marks. Marks to side edges not seen when installed in a
cast iron fireplace or otherwise framed.
Style: Nature study
Technique: Print & Tint
Manufacturer: Unknown
Dimensions: 6" x 6"x 2
Date: circa 1895
Price: £160 (approx $205)
Ref: 06718/9
Alternate addresses: www.tileheaven.co.uk | www.tile-heaven.co.uk | www.tileheaven.com | www.tile-heaven.com Copyright 2001 - 2018, All rights reserved