• Style:
Landscape A photogrpahic tile of a promenade
transferred to tile by George Grundy using his
patent process. In pleasing sepia tones, black
was also used, most being named but this is not.
I wonder whre it is and if the cannon is still
there, most likely to be a channel port I
presume fortified against possible invasion from
the continent. There were many attempts to convert
photographs to ceramic decorations in the late
19th century, many patents testify to the
endeavours, but it was only in the last couple
of years of the century that George Grundy
invented a process that was successful that is
to say commercially viable. In 1900 Grundy sold
the rights to the Royal Castle Flint Glassworks
of Hatton near Derby. From the Pottery Gazette of October 1896, "Mr
G H Grundy, Duffield Road, Derby has a decided
novelty (which he is now producing under
provisional protection) in the shape of
Photo-decorated Tiles, Mr Grundy informs us that
the result he has arrived at in this new
departure in tile decoration, was only attained
after many months of experiment and a large
expenditure of money. Instead of the usual ideal
landscape, and copperplate prints of geometric
designs, the decoration of these tiles consists
of actual photographs of well known views,
places of resort, portraits of celebrities or,
in fact, of anything else that can be
photographed. It is thus apparent that there cannot be any
limit to the subjects of decoration. The
pictures are printed on the tiles in ceramic
colours and being fired under the glaze they
make the most imperishable photographic records
known." Verso near perfectly clean just some very
light stained, Pilkington tile with embossed P
in opposing corners otherwise unmarked.
• Condition: Perfect
• Price: £120 (approx $157)
• Stock number: 07461
• Technique:
Photographic
• Maker: The Photo Decorated Tile
Co.
• Dimensions: 6" x 6"
• Date: 1898 (circa)
