• Style/technique: Arts & Crafts block print
• Manufacturer: Maw & Co
• Dimensions: 6" x 6"
• Date: circa 1875

 

A bold design of a genre popular during the arts & crafts movement period block printed in a soft blue. Designs some so similar to be virtually indistinguishable were made by Mintons from the late 1860s through the 1880s and attributed to Christopher Dresser. They were made in moulded majolica and printed in a variety of colours, the form is of the anthemion palmette with a plain surround, an ancient greco-roman shell-like design consistent with the arts & crafts movement use of ancient design themes.

Anthemion is from the greek for flower and the form is variously attributed to palm, acanthus and honeysuckle as the original inspiration but this is so far back in the sands of ancient time (ancient Egypt!) that really most likely is that the variations were representative of different flora and coalesced into this standard form. Clam shells, nautilus shells and ammonites have also been popular design subjects from time immemorial.

Condition: Fine
Price: £70 (approx $138)
Ref: 02519

Very minor marks and manufacturing imperfections. Extremely slight discolouration near the side edges, tiny chips, a touch of wear and the glaze is a little uneven along the top edge but otherwise the surface is excellent with a good brilliance to the glaze.

The image is full size at 72 dpi (about 430 pixels wide) in maximum quality JPEG format. A larger 120 dpi image also in maximum quality JPEG format can be forwarded by email if required.

The image is a little oversize rather than cropped close to the edges so that the edges can easily be seen and any chips etc can be quickly spotted. Other marks described are usually not visible at all when the tile is viewed straight as one normally sees it and can only be seen with a critical eye when the tile is tilted to catch imperfections in reflected light. For more details of how we describe marks see Condition.