Summer
Tile
1881 (design registered), 1881-1885 (made)
1881 (design registered), 1881-1885 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The demand for wall tiles increased rapidly in the later 19th century. One of the most popular uses of tiles was in conjunction with fireplaces. While tiles had been used in this way for centuries, the new cast-iron grates that began to appear in this period were specifically designed to be set with tiles, which were fitted to metal panels that bolted onto the frame. Pictorial tiles were especially popular for this purpose, and many series of picture tiles were produced.
Production Methods
The mass production of tiles was greatly facilitated by the invention of dust-pressing in the 1840s. In this process tiles were formed by compacting powdered clay under high pressure in a screw-press. As many as 1,800 tiles a day could made on a single press, operated by two people. As well as increasing the speed with which tiles could be made, dust-pressing also ensured that a consistently high-quality product was achieved, much less prone to warping. The perfect regularity of this example is typical of tiles made in this way.
Illustration & Design
Many tile designs have similar qualities to contemporary book illustration, and indeed many designers produced work for both books and tiles. One of the most celebrated children's book illustrators of the period was Kate Greenaway, who became well known for her drawings of children in period costme. The style of the figure on this tile is close to that of Greenaway, and it is likely to have been her work.
The demand for wall tiles increased rapidly in the later 19th century. One of the most popular uses of tiles was in conjunction with fireplaces. While tiles had been used in this way for centuries, the new cast-iron grates that began to appear in this period were specifically designed to be set with tiles, which were fitted to metal panels that bolted onto the frame. Pictorial tiles were especially popular for this purpose, and many series of picture tiles were produced.
Production Methods
The mass production of tiles was greatly facilitated by the invention of dust-pressing in the 1840s. In this process tiles were formed by compacting powdered clay under high pressure in a screw-press. As many as 1,800 tiles a day could made on a single press, operated by two people. As well as increasing the speed with which tiles could be made, dust-pressing also ensured that a consistently high-quality product was achieved, much less prone to warping. The perfect regularity of this example is typical of tiles made in this way.
Illustration & Design
Many tile designs have similar qualities to contemporary book illustration, and indeed many designers produced work for both books and tiles. One of the most celebrated children's book illustrators of the period was Kate Greenaway, who became well known for her drawings of children in period costme. The style of the figure on this tile is close to that of Greenaway, and it is likely to have been her work.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Summer (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, transfer-printed and hand-coloured |
| Brief description | Tile with a representation of 'Summer' |
| Physical description | One of a set of four tiles of the seasons. A woman is in her garden watering flowers. She is wearing a Japanese hairstyle and clothing. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Printed diamond registration mark |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | From a series representing the Seasons probably designed by Kate Greenaway (born in London, 1846, died there in 1901); made by T. & R. Boote, Burslem, Staffordshire |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type The demand for wall tiles increased rapidly in the later 19th century. One of the most popular uses of tiles was in conjunction with fireplaces. While tiles had been used in this way for centuries, the new cast-iron grates that began to appear in this period were specifically designed to be set with tiles, which were fitted to metal panels that bolted onto the frame. Pictorial tiles were especially popular for this purpose, and many series of picture tiles were produced. Production Methods The mass production of tiles was greatly facilitated by the invention of dust-pressing in the 1840s. In this process tiles were formed by compacting powdered clay under high pressure in a screw-press. As many as 1,800 tiles a day could made on a single press, operated by two people. As well as increasing the speed with which tiles could be made, dust-pressing also ensured that a consistently high-quality product was achieved, much less prone to warping. The perfect regularity of this example is typical of tiles made in this way. Illustration & Design Many tile designs have similar qualities to contemporary book illustration, and indeed many designers produced work for both books and tiles. One of the most celebrated children's book illustrators of the period was Kate Greenaway, who became well known for her drawings of children in period costme. The style of the figure on this tile is close to that of Greenaway, and it is likely to have been her work. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.399-1962 |
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| Record created | May 26, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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