IVANHOE (Original circa 1878 decorative tile depicting a scene from Ivanhoe)

This is an original ceramic tile made by the Minton China Works in Stoke-upon-Trent, England. It was designed by John Moyr Smith and produced circa 1878. The tile depicts the death of Bois-Guilbert. It is eight inches square. John Moyr Smith designed twelve tiles based on Scott's popular Waverly Novels. They were first introduced at the Paris Exhibition of 1878. The original tiles were eight inches square with later ones reduced to six inches.

Original tiles from this series are scarce. This tile is in very good condition with one small chip on the back edge that does not affect the image. It is crazed as are most tiles of this age but the crazing does not detract from the imagery and colors. The colors are various shades of grays, whites, black and tan. Moyr Smith signature in the tile and the reverse of the tile is stamped Minton with their seal and Stoke-on-Trent.

A beautiful literary object, perfect for the Scott lover.