Three slight losses to the rim otherwise perfect
perfect. • Style: Allegorical An early picture series from Mintons
introduced around 1872, rather more adventurous
than most of their series verging on 19th
century erotica. Not often found and great in
this colourway of choclate brown on buff clay,
Spirits of the Flowers features twelve subjects,
this being Foxglove. The series is widely attributed to Moyr Smith
but this is questioned by the author of a book
on his works Annamarie Stapleton who says there
is no evidence that Smith did these but there is
evidence for C O Murray who was a colleague of
Smith's. The book includes two pictures on page
47 of stained glass panels designed by Moyr
Smith and a series of nursery rhymes that he
designed for W B Simpson which are very similar
in style to the Spirits of the Flowers and Water
Nymphs tile series. John Moyr Smith was an adaptable artist
perhaps most famous at the time for his works
that appeared in such publications as the
satirical magazine Punch. I certainly believe it
feasible perhaps likely that he adapted his
style to suit the subject matter the classical
style being most appropriate to literature and
classical subjects such as Shakespeare and the
Musicians and a more irreverant style for the
humorous nursery rhymes and other light hearted
subject matter. I think it matters little who designed the
tiles, having myself collected art nouveau tiles
many of which the manufacturer was unknown let
alone the designer, beauty is in the eye of the
beholder and should not be constrained by the
perceived wisdom of who is a great artist and
who is not for often those perceived as great
artists were really just great at marketing and
adopted the artistic visions of
others! Verso clear of adhesive but a little grubby,
embossed Mintons etc.
• Condition: Near
perfect
• Price: £200 (approx $273)
• Stock number: 07354
• Technique: Transfer print
• Maker: Mintons
• Dimensions: 6" x 6"
• Date: circa 1885
