Tile

MOA: University of British Columbia

3401/32

Square ceramic tile with abstract floral motif carved in slight relief across front. Surface is glazed. Background painted dark brown. Central design of two mint green flower-like shapes with blue centres. Large blue, layered oval in between the two flower-like shapes. Flowers share a single olive green stem that splits at the bottom, and curves back upwards, towards the flowers. Six horizontal ridges and four circles indented in each corner on back of tile. Inscription stamped between ridges.

  • Specific Techniques

    Tile was manufactured by dust-pressing, a technique that uses clay milled to a fine powder with low moisture content, then pressed in a die at high pressure. The design was created from a relief in die, creating the raised edges and depressions. Glaze was hand-painted into the outlined areas and was allowed to pool in the embossing creating the shade variation.

  • Cultural Context

    Wall tile.

  • Iconographic Meaning

    Art nouveau design.


  • Type of Item tile
  • Culture English
  • Material clay, paint, glaze
  • Manufacturing Technique dust-pressed, hand-painted
  • Measurements height 15.2 cm, width 15.2 cm, depth 1.2 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Judith Stoffman
  • Received from Judith Stoffman

  • Made in United Kingdom, England

  • Creation Date between 1860 and 1900
  • Ownership Date before October 30, 2019
  • Acquisition Date on October 30, 2019

  • Item Classes ceramics
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3401/0032