Having already done posts on both Minton's majolica tiles and George Jones' majolica tiles, I thought I'd finish the British majolica triumvirate with a post on Wedgwood's majolica tile output.
Majolica tiles began production at the Wedgwood factory in the early 1860's a little bit after the beginning of majolica housewares in 1860 with the golden age of Wedgwood majolica tiles falling in the period between 1865 and 1875. Though majolica tile were never a large part of Wedgwood's business they did remain in the majolica tile business until 1902 producing both full color pictorial and monochromatic field tile until that time. Minton and Wedgwood decorators Harry Barnard and Thomas Allen are believed to have had influence in the design of many Wedgwood wares including their tiles.
Majolica tiles began production at the Wedgwood factory in the early 1860's a little bit after the beginning of majolica housewares in 1860 with the golden age of Wedgwood majolica tiles falling in the period between 1865 and 1875. Though majolica tile were never a large part of Wedgwood's business they did remain in the majolica tile business until 1902 producing both full color pictorial and monochromatic field tile until that time. Minton and Wedgwood decorators Harry Barnard and Thomas Allen are believed to have had influence in the design of many Wedgwood wares including their tiles.
Wedgwood advertising tile
Harry Barnard can be seen seated, second row from the from on the right.
Thomas Allen can be seen in the center
Like George Jones tiles Wedgwood pictorial tile had the same distinct look and character as their tableware counterparts.
Wedgwood majolica floral tile
Some of the known Wedgwood majolica tile pattern names are: PassionFlower, Lion's head and Wreaths, Narcissus, Ferns and Clodion, all shown above. Other patterns are Spotted Flower, Crane, Fruit and Birds, and Orchid. The images from the game series tiles shown above also appeared on dessert ware.
One of the best surviving installations of Wedgwood tiles is in the Royal Baths at Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Mainly consisting of majolica field tile, the Turkish inspired design was commissioned by the Duke of Cambridge in 1897 and created by Frank Baggallay and Fred Bristowe.
Wedgwood also made transfer ware tiles, including a series designed by Helen Miles and hand decorated tiles like the one below by Thomas Allan.
Wedgwood fox and sour grapes tile
Wedgwood majolica passion flower tile
Wedgwood pattern book page for the above tile
Classical tile series modeled by Clodion
Wedgwood majolica tile by Clodion
Wedgwood Aesthetic Movement crane tile
Some tiles of characters from British literature.
Wedgwood’s Fresco Heads plate
Wedgwood also made transfer ware tiles, including a series designed by Helen Miles and hand decorated tiles like the one below by Thomas Allan.
Thomas Allen decorated Wedgwood tile
The prices of Wedgwood tiles are certainly in the upper range of collectible tile. Figural designs such as the classical Clodion command the highest prices, usually selling for several hundred dollars a piece. Hand painted tiles like the one above by Thomas Allen also bring high prices.
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