Style: Art nouveau
Technique: Embossed majolica
Manufacturer: Carter of Poole
Dimensions: 3" x 6"
Date: 1905 (circa)
An excellent art nouveau design of quite a
complex nature belied to some extent by the
single colour. In high relief, embossed and
indented, bold and dramatic flower, perhaps a
honeysuckle, over simpler leaves and erect stem.
A hint of gothic in the form but with complex
elements in the design and moulding.
But perhaps the outstanding feature of this
tile is the skill of the modeller for it is both
precise and having great flow of the line. The
symmetry is almost perfect - truly a demanding
skill, the mould was fashioned by a truly
skilled and artistic individual. The skill of
the kilnmaster should not be overlooked for the
near perfect glazing really gives the relief its
definition. The glaze is consistent with the
relief all over, no pooling where there should
not be, brighter where it should be on the high
relief and richer where it is indented.
This tile (and also see similar 03048
from the same original installation) is ideally
suited for interspersing between brighter
coloured 6" x 6" tiles in a horizontal display
the plain darker colouring emphasising the
brighter tiles without being tedious and indeed
with their own interest.
Verso has indented pattern as face, otherwise
unmarked but a similar tile from the same
installation is identifiable and it appears in
Carter's catalogue identified as No. 1083.