Tile with acanthus leaf design c. 1880

This is a ceramic tile with acanthus leaf design, made by Maw & Company, Ltd. The acanthus leaf, a common motif in classical architecture and design, suggests an attempt to connect industrial products with a more refined aesthetic. Maw & Company was one of the leading British tile manufacturers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period that saw the rise of industrial production and the expansion of the middle class. The company’s products were used in a variety of settings, from public buildings to private homes, and were seen as a way to bring beauty and elegance to everyday life. The design, with its symmetrical arrangement and stylized depiction of organic forms, reflects the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement, which sought to revive traditional crafts and reject mass production. Further research into the company's archives and design catalogs would provide insight into its role in shaping popular taste.