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John Moyr Smith Antique Minton Tile of Classical Musicians
About the Item
An antique late 19th century Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a man in noble dress playing a tambourine within a beautiful neoclassical scene.
On striking gold ground surrounded by a mute blue border, this tile is nearly 150 years old yet still showcases a beautiful clean condition.
We are also selling further sets of tiles in the same design. Each illustration is hand painted depicting various types of classical musicians in the same eye catching colours.
Styled alone or as a collection, these tiles make the perfect decorative features for modern and period properties looking to add vibrancy and charm.
Some tiles in this series include scenes from Shakespeare and one illustrates ‘Early English History’.
John Moyr Smith (1839-1912) & Classical Figures with Musical Instruments
This tile series titled ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by Glasgow born artist John Moyr Smith dates to circa 1875-1890. You can currently find one example on display in the V&A Museum, London.
Made by Minton & Co, Stoke on Trent, these tiles were originally designed to decorate cast-iron grates that began to appear during this period.
These grates were specifically designed to be set with tiles, and pictorial tiles became popular for this purpose, and series of picture tiles, such as Smith’s, were produced.
The striking tiles we have available are a glimpse into 19th century England.
Smith, architect turned artist, book illustrator and designer, worked primarily for Mintons Ltd and many of his designs were used to decorate items at Minton’s Art Pottery Studio, London.
- Creator:Minton (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.08 in (20.5 cm)Width: 8.08 in (20.5 cm)Depth: 0.48 in (1.2 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1875
- Condition:Good structural condition. Stamped to the reverse. Each tile from this series is in a used but very clean condition. Originally used as fireplace tiles. Generally light surface wear and small chips to the edges.
- Seller Location:Wormelow, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 345261stDibs: LU2096345166732
Minton
Pottery is one of the oldest decorative art forms, and Minton is one of its historical masters. For more than 250 years, the English company was a premier producer of porcelain and ceramic wares. Its factory was known for detailed and brightly colored Victorian tableware, including dinner plates and serving pieces.
Thomas Minton founded the Minton factory in 1793 in Stoke-upon-Trent, England. It initially made earthenware but introduced bone china in 1798. When Minton died in 1836, the company passed to his son, Herbert Minton. The younger Minton was a savvy businessman with an eye for design. He introduced glossy majolica earthenware to the factory’s repertoire and hired skilled artists and designers like Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, boosting the company’s reputation.
In 1851, Minton debuted its majolica at the Great Exhibition in London. It became a royal family favorite and was even used to tile the Royal Dairy at Windsor Home Park. Minton majolica was also displayed on the monumental Saint George and the dragon fountain at the 1862 London International Exhibition.
Colin Minton Campbell, a nephew of Herbert Minton, took over the family business in 1858. He led the company to the head of the 1870s English art pottery movement. In the 1890s, French porcelain artist Marc-Louis Solon helped modernize Minton with his Art Nouveau designs.
Minton ceased operating as an independent company when it merged with Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd. in 1968. It was the end of an era, but not the end of widespread appreciation for Minton ceramics.
In 1982, the ”English Majolica” exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum featured 75 Minton pieces. When the Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened its British Galleries in 2020, it included a display of three colorful Minton majolica bird sculptures. Minton pottery was also on display from September 2021 to January 2022, along with other English pottery, at the Bard Graduate Center’s ”Majolica Mania” exhibition.
On 1stDibs, find exquisite Minton serveware, decorative objects, wall decorations and more.
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Wormelow, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
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View AllAntique Minton Tile of Classical Musicians by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique late 19th century Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a man in noble Roman dr...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
Antique Minton & Co Tile of Classical Musicians by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique late 19th century Minton & Co tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a woman in noble d...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
Antique Minton Tile of 'Classical Figures' by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series 'Classical Figures with Musical Instruments' designed by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a woman in noble dress playing a lyre, in a beautiful neoclassical style on a striking gold ground, surrounded by a mute blue border.
At nearly 150 years it is in a beautiful clean condition, the perfect decorative feature for modern and period properties looking to add vibrancy and charm.
We are also selling further sets of tiles in the same design. Each illustration is hand painted depicting various types of classical musicians in the same beautiful colours.
Some tiles in this series include scenes from Shakespeare and one illustrating 'Early English History'.
John Moyr Smith (1839-1912) & Classical Figures with Musical Instruments
This tile series titled 'Classical Figures with Musical Instruments' by Glasgow born artist John Moyr Smith dates to circa 1875-1890. You can currently find one example on display in the V&A Museum, London.
Made by Minton & Co, Stoke on Trent, these tiles were originally designed to decorate cast-iron grates that began to appear during this period.
These grates were specifically designed to be set with tiles, and pictorial tiles became popular for this purpose, and series of picture tiles...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
Antique Minton Tile of Musical Classical Figures by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ designed by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a man in noble dress playing a h...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
Antique Minton Tile of Musical Classical Figures by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ designed by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a woman in noble dress playing a...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
Minton Tile of ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ designed by the artist John Moyr Smith.
This 8 inch tile depicts a woman in noble dress playing a...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Mounted Objects
Materials
Clay
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