Tile 1879 - 1884

Editor: Here we have "Tile," crafted between 1879 and 1884 by J. and J. G. Low Art Tile Works. It’s earthenware, a ceramic relief. It makes me think of a formal garden, a little somber and very composed. What captures your attention in this piece? Curator: It’s funny you say somber! I actually find it rather playful, in a contained way. The repeating clover pattern reminds me of wallpaper… and I imagine that glossy surface catching the light in a Victorian parlor. I love the subtle irregularities – the glaze pools differently in each impression. For me, that's where the hand of the artist shines through and where it invites you to observe these beautiful imperfections within what seems so perfect initially. Does it feel hand-made to you? Editor: Yes, I see what you mean about the light. And now I see the individual differences you described. So, the “Arts and Crafts” movement aimed to push back against industrialization. How did this tile participate in that? Curator: Absolutely! This tile exemplifies that ethos. While presses were used for tile production, J. and J.G. Low were known for a technique called "naturalistic" relief. In other words, this wasn’t stamped. Think of artisans carefully carving details. They elevated utilitarian objects to an art form, celebrating craftsmanship and accessible beauty in daily life. So, imagine this not in a museum, but a home, part of a larger tableau of coordinated tile work. What feelings does it evoke now? Editor: Definitely cozier now! More intimate. It's easy to see why people might want this in their homes. Curator: Precisely! And that intersection of art and function, that quiet revolution in design, makes this small tile so compelling. Editor: Thanks! Now I can appreciate its unique way of bringing beauty to ordinary life.