Victorian Tile

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In England floor tiles had been utilized for pavings at Cathedrals and Palaces since 13th century. After William of Orange acceded to the throne in 1689, Dutch culture was introduced gradually and wall tiles were initiated to be used. Also as a result of Eighty Years War between Spain and Holland, tile craftmen moved from Holland to England so Delft tiles were initiated to be manufactured in England in the second half of 17th century. Nevertheless, tiles usage in England were mainly for floor pavings. Delft tiles manufactured in England are called English Delft. There are no big differences with designs and coloring between English Delft and Dutch Delft. Only difference to be seen, if any, is that English Delft is a bit blue than Dutch Delft in the early stage.
In 1756 John Sadler invented the copper plate transfer printing, which enabled mass production of English Delft tiles and rich people started to use tiles for wall decoration. In 18th century the specfic design with English Delft such as Bianco-Sopra-Bianco (means white on white) borders and Rococo style design came on board. However English Delft faded out as Victorian Tiles that were produced based on the industrialized tile manufacturing techniques described below were invented.

Victorian Tiles were manufactured during the Victorian era of England. In the second half of 18th century Josiah Wedgwood improved the quality of material clay (called creamware). Josiah Spode invented under-graze transfer printing. In 1830s encaustic tiling to utilize multi colored clays, which improved the medival encaustic tiling method, were established. Further dust tile pressed production were developed. In addition in around 1850 Minton invented a Majolica Tile with multi-colors and/or relief. Eventually as the indusrialized mass production of tiles were established, tiles manufacturing grew up to the major industry in England. Victorian tiles were used both for the decoration and sanitation of houses of citizens who were formed under the Industrial Revolution and public buildings or repair of paving tiles for Cathedrals and Abbeys. Also a number of Victorian tiles were exported to the United Staes and British Colonies for the decoration of Goverment buidings overthere.
In late 19th century Arts & Craft Movement rised critisizing against mass production merchandise and William De Morgan and William Morris made hand made decoration tiles, however they were not spred into middle class people because they were too expensive.

Size of Victorian Tiles is usually 6 x 6 inchs. A manufacturer's mark and/or name is stamped on the back. There were more than ten tile companies. A famous manufacturer was Minton China Works, Minton Hollins, Wedgwood, Maw, Pilkingtons and so on. Victorian Tiles was designed by the artist such as William Wise, John Moyer Smith, Walter Crane, and Christfer Dresser who contracted with each tile manufacturer. William De Morgan and William Morris who leaded Arts and Craft Movement are also popular. This is the significant difference from Delft Tiles whose designs were copied from prints or lithographs then available.

Designs of Victorian Tiles are much more various than Delft Tiles due to diversified manufacturing methos such as encaustic tilinig, mold tiling, incised decoration and mixing different grazing components. More than 400,000 design patents were applied; for example, the design books of Minton used between 1870 and 1900 include more than 2,000 designs. Major designs are categorized as follows: Greek and Roman mythological subjects, copies of Chinese, Japanese or Persian designs, imitations of medival tiles, British legend such as Idyllis of the King, plants, animals, fruits, birds, portrait of famous person, sightseeing spots, landscapes, bible theme, fables and/or stories such as Aesop, Cindellera, Red Hood etc. Series of designs (usally 12 decors per one set) were issued with each subject.
Not only Victorian Tiles were utilized for the decoration or paving of houses, Cathedrals and Abbeys and public buildings but they were built in furnitures like tables and chairs. Also tile panels were used for public buildings and Cathedrals.

"Floor Tile"

"Aesop Fables 1":Minton　China　Works
　

"Aesop Fables 2":Minton　Hollins

"Aesop Fables 3":Maw &　Co
　

"Aesop Fables 4":Minton　Hollins

"Calendar Tile( January ~ December)":Wedgwood

"Calendar Tile（February, March, April)":Copeland

"Idylls of the King by Tennison":Minton　China　Works
Twelve stories about King Arthor and Knights of the Round Table

　 "Lancelot" and "Elaine":Love story about Lancelot, one of Knights of the Round Table, and Elaine of Astolat. Elaine is a female name that is often described in King Arthor Legend. There are many "Elaines" described around Sir. Lancelot. The Etymology of "Ellaine" is in Greek Mithodlogy and she is described as the most beautiful female in the world.

"Pelleas" and "Ettare":The story in which Lord Pelleas is main character and is included in "The Death of King Arthor". Lord Pelleas loved Ettare and gave her his favor but Ettare did not have a good feeling to Lord Pelleas. Eventually they did not go along together. However, Gawain promissed to Pelleas to act as a go-between for them. Despite of that Gawain did not keep his promise so Pelleas and Ettare could not built up the good relation-ship between them and finally Pelleas traveled to the Northern area.

　 "Geraint" and "Enid":Geraint, who suspected wife's unfaithfullness, ordered his wife not to say anything during the trip. But she issued the warning whenever Geraint was exposed to the danger. Geraint angered as his wife did not follow the order not to say anything several times and treated badly. But finally Geraint realized his wife's moral excellence and apologised to her.

"Guinevre":Queen of King Arthor. Guinevre and Lancelot had an adultelous relationship and it was known to King Arthor. So Guinevre escaped to Monastery. She met King Arthor and was forgiven. But in three years after entering Monastery she died.

"Isolt":Princess of Ireland. She made the political marrige with King Mark and anguished with unrighteous love to Tristan.

"Gareth" and "Lynette":A story describing the adventure of Lord Gareth. Gareth, whose mother opposed Gareth becoming the knight. He worked with a kitchen works hiding his status for a year and as a reslt he was allowed to become the knight. Gareth overcame many troubles and conducted the adventure to help the maiden.

"Vivien":Mistress and Disciple of Merlin, Magician assisting King Arthor, Maiden of the Lake

"Excaliver":The sword King Arthor owns. It is said that the magic power dowells with the sword and it is the symbol of ruler of England.

"Death of King Arthor":Modred, One of King Arthor's knights, revolted against King Arthor. Many King Arthor's knights of Round Table had been already dropped off and/or died in the battle. Bediverl, the first Kinght of Round Table, watched the battling to the end. King Arthor finally made victory but wounded sevearly so went to Avalon Island for medical tratment.

"Cinderella":Malkin　Edge

"Little Red Riding Hood":Wedgwood

"Albrecht Durer's Print":Minton　China　Works
　

"Albrecht Durer's Print":Austria Vienna

"Musician Series":Minton China Works

"Arts and Crafts Tile1":William　De　Morgan
　

"Arts and Craft Tile２":William　Morris Style tiles that were manufactured by Dutch tile makers and exported to U.K.

"Arts and Craft Tile 3":Japonism

"Arts and Craft Tile 4":French Longwy Tile

"Arts and Craft Tile 5:"Christopher　Dresser

"Arts and Craft Tile 6:"Walter Crane

"Arts and Crafts Tile 7": Floral Design

"Arts and Crafts Tile 8":Bird Design

"Arts and Crafts Tile 9":Persian Style

"Arts Nauveau Tile":

"Classic":

"Majolica Tile":

"Old Testament ":Minton　China　Works

"Genesis:Adam and Eve Driven Out of Eden" "Genesis:Sodom and Gomorrah Destoroyed by Fire" "Genesis:Offering of Issac" "Genesis:Jacob's Dream" "Exodus:Finding of Moses" "1 Samuel:Eli and Samuel""Samuel: David playing a harp in front of King Saul" "Genesis:Hagar and Ishumael in the deserts""Judge:Samson Slaying the Phillistines""Genesis:The Death of Abel" "Genesis: Joseph serving to Pharaoh

"New Testament2":Minton　China　Works

"Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene" "Raising of Jairo's daughter" "Christ Mocked by the Soldiers" "Christ Disputing with the Docters" "Going up to Jeresalem" "Christ Stilling the Tempest" "The Wisemen from the East" "Christ Blessing Little Children" "The Temptation of Over Lord" "Jesus turning water into wine" "Crucification" "Jesus walking on the sea"

"Religious Series":Minton　Hollins

"Book of Samuel:David with playing harp" "Celebrating Children""Parable of Sower""Lion lying in front of Sheep(Book of Isaiah)" "Return of Prodigical Son" "Meeting Lebecca" "Fornicated Woman Not Punished" "Dancing of Salome" "Book of Kings:Elijah fed by rabens" "Good Samaritan?" "Burnt Offering of Issac"

"Bible Series":Maw　＆　CO　

"Good Samaritan"

"Bible Series":Wedgewood　

"He heals the Sick" "Christ Assended to Heaven"

"Early English History Series"：Minton　China　Works

"Edy and Elgiva":Edy is King Edgar the Peaceful, who enthronemented in 955-959. Elgiva is his wife. The painting depicts the scene of Coronation, where Elgiva and her mother made a fuss and slipped out. It made mad the presenting Nobles.

"Harold's Oath to William" English King Harold Ⅱ　was beaten by Duke of Normandy William and declared the subordination to him.

"Wounding of King Harlord" King Harlord Ⅱ　was injured at the Battle of Hasting in 1006 defeated by Conquerer Normandy William.

"Lilla saving Edwin" Edwin was the first Chritian King in Englan in the middle of AD 600s Lilla was his courtier and frend, who saved the King by covering the King using himself as a protector from the assascinates's sword.

"Calcagus" Calcagus was the Celtic Chief who fought with Romans invading into England in the first century.

"Edward the Martyr":Edward was the King between 975 and 978. He was murdered by his stepmother. He was deemed as "Good Christian" and also as some miracles occured concerning his corpse, he was canonized in 1001.

"Landing of Julius Caesar on England":Romans leaded by Julius Caesar first landed in Britain 55BC

"Great King Alfred":Alfred repeled the invasion of the Dane in the end of 9C. He also enacted the legal code and protected academics so established the foundation of England Kingdom

"Canute":Canute is know as the epithet the Great and was the king of England from 1016, the king of Denmark from 1018 and the king of Norway from 1028 until his death of 1035. Three Kingdoms united under Canute's Rule are referred to together as the North Sea Empire.

"St.Augustine":In 596 St.Augustine was despatched to England by Pope Gregorius Ⅰin order to preach the Christianity together with about 40 monks. He became the first Archibishop of Canterbury.

"English History Series"：Minton　China　Works

"Hereward at Ely":Hereward is an Anglo-Saxon Aristcrat at Island Ely located at Eastern England. He resisted against the Norman Invasion.

　 "1100 Death of Rufus": Rufus is the third son of King William Conqueror. He became the King in 1087 but was unpopular and was shot to the death in New Forest Forest while hunting.

"1171 Murder of Becket":Thomas Becket is Archbishop of Canterbury Monastery. He was oppsed to King Henry Ⅱ with the Power and Priviledge of Church

"1199 Richard Lion Hearted":Richard Ⅰ He spent his whole life at battle fields and was deemed as the perfect picture of knight.

"1215 Magna Carta" Magna Carta was executed at the Era of King John in Englan Kingdom. It ristricted the power and rights of England King and is still effective in the current English Constitution.

"1347 Phillipa pleading with Edward":Phillipa is the Queen of England King Edward Ⅲ and famous for the first female receipient of a decoration of Order of the Garter. She participated in battles together with her husband and at Siege of Calais in 1347 she asked for saving life of 6 Calais Citizens to Edward Ⅲ.

"1415 Henry at Agnicourt":Henry ⅴ　was active in the Hundred Years War between England France. He mad victory in the Battle of Agnicourt and occupied Normandy.

"1528 Henry Ⅷ　and Queen Katherine":Katherine came fron Spain and the first wife of Henry Ⅷ. They did not have a male child so divorced, which initiated the establishment of Anglican Church.

"1586 Sir Phillip Sidney at Zutphen": Phillip Sidney was Poet, Coutier and Militant in Elizabeth Dynasty. He was known as a bellicose protestant and in the battle of Zutphen in Holland with Spain he took off his armor competing with the Spanish leader without armor but he was wounded. At that time he gave a water bottle to the wounded soldier saying that he needs it more than myself.

"1588 The Armada in Sight":England Fleet beated Spanish Armada at English Channel.

"1605 The Gunpowder Plot":English Catholic leaded by Robert Catesby tried to assasinate King James Ⅰ but the Coup d'etat failed.

"1653 Cromwell Parliament" Cromwell leading the Puritan Revolution executed Charles Ⅰ　and　established the Republic.In 1653 he established Dictatership as Lord Protector.

"Shakespear Series"：Minton　China　Works

"Tempest" " Hamlet" "Macbeth-Act3" "Muck Ado About Nothing" "Romeo and Juliet Act1" "Henry Ⅳ" "Cymbelline"" The Winter Tale" "Troilus and Cresida" "Othello" "Macbeth"

"Landscape" Minton　China　Works