A rare pair of nature study tiles of birds
the designs moulded apparently independently of
the body. The pottery term for such is sprigging
the most familiar of such wares being much of
Wedgwood's Jasper Ware output although it being
lesser in both area and height of relief. Whilst
tiles enamel painted in white are found from time
to time (see here) and have some relief
this pair are well embossed and the only pair I
have seen however plaques are found from time to
time. The clay is also rare it being primarily
grey, and a rare grey perfectly suited to the
task, with cobalt blue speckles. I first took it that these tiles were made
by the Pâte sur Pâte process however
another example appearing on the eBay web site has
caused me to reassess. The digital photograph was
imperfect nevertheless the clear similarities were
too great to have been made by hand therefore a
mechanical process is indicated. The translucency
of the white clay led me to the conclusion that it
is a slip painted process however it now appears to
be another example of the technical prowess of Maw.
Maw was the greatest tile maker ever
producing the widest range of the best
quality and with more decorating techniques
than any other yet still one may be surprised
at the tile art the company created. Versos near perfectly clean embossed Maw
& Co, Broseley. Condition: Good Ref: 07433/4 Chip bottom left corner, large shallow chip
nearby, other tiny rim chips, tiny chips to the
relief mostly the tips of some petals. Chip bottom left corner, small chip top right
corner, other tiny rim chips, tiny chips to the
relief mostly the tips of some petals.
Style: Nature study
Technique: Embossed, sprigged
Maker: Maw & Co.
Dimensions: 6" x 6"x 2
Date: circa 1875
Price: £650 (approx $885)
Ref: 07433/4
