Border Tile 1881 - 1884

This border tile was made by J. and J. G. Low Art Tile Works. They were active between 1877 and 1903. Look closely at the clay that forms the body of this tile. It's a humble material, taken directly from the earth. And yet, here it is, pressed with an intricate pattern, and coated with a shiny glaze. You can see a repeating motif that resembles fish scales. The process of firing transforms the raw clay into a permanent form. This particular manufacturer specialized in tiles that were relatively high in artistic ambition. They embraced the aesthetics of the British Arts and Crafts movement. In that context, even utilitarian objects like tiles could become vehicles for sophisticated design. Consider the labor that went into creating this tile. From digging the clay to shaping the mold to applying the glaze. And ask yourself, is this craft or art? It is the kind of object that challenges those distinctions.