Tile 1879 - 1884

This glazed earthenware tile was created by J. and J. G. Low Art Tile Works between 1877 and 1903. At first glance, its parallel lines seem like simple decoration, but these horizontal bands resonate with motifs found throughout human history. Consider the ancient Greek meander patterns, symbols of the river and the unending flow of life, or even earlier, the parallel lines found in Neolithic art, perhaps representing the horizon, a boundary between worlds. The emotional and psychological weight of these lines is potent, engaging us on a subconscious level. Are they bars? Boundaries? Horizons? The tile's simple lines evoke a sense of order and perhaps confinement. The lines are not merely decorative; they tap into our primal understanding of space, boundary, and direction. This echoes through time, manifesting differently yet consistently reminding us of fundamental human experiences, like the ever-repeating nature of life and the boundaries we create.