This is an outrageously opulent tile. The
design is a brilliant compromise of tastes and
styles in the victoriana manner, some gothic and
islamic influences, some would see art nouveau,
it would complement any luscious interior of the
times.
But more than the styles this tile is a
testament to, and represents the pinnacle of,
the art of majolica. Wonderfully modelled and
moulded in quite high bas relief the
manufacturing quality is superb. Verso is
sculpted to ensure a consistent thickness of
clay and avoid distortions in manufacture and
environmental stresses upon installation.
Rapturous colours, wide ranging and with most
brilliant glaze finishes. Royal blue, steel
blue, rich pink, soft green and brown and
brilliant white and despite the lack of a raised
outline near perfectly painted.
Rarely found, such tiles adorned the walls of
prestigious buildings especially inns and
theatres most of which which have fallen in to
disrepair and have been demolished, the majority
of tiles (in good condition) that come to market
are from furniture and fireplaces.
Michael Daintry Hollins, partner of Herbert
Minton and manager of the newly established
specialist tile division of Minton & Co.
from 1840 can be called the father of the
industrial wall tile. The company made some of
the best tiles and was reknowned for quality
only bested at times by Maw & Co.
