Low Art Tile Fireplace Surround

Low Art Tile c.1881

 

The J. and J.G. Low Art Tile Company produced some of the first American tiles. Manufacturing tiles in 1879, Low was poised to supply the mansions of the Gilded Age along the east coast, especially in the Boston Area. Low hired George Robertson for glazes and Arthur Osbourne for design.

 

The Aesthetic Movement tiles produced were usually covered in a single glaze which let the modeling of the object play the main role. This made them popular not only in Victorian homes, but also in Shingle Style, Arts and Crafts and Beaux Arts arhitecture.

 

The antique tiles featured this week are from an 1881 design called “ New Apple Blossom” a 17 tile fireplace surround. An apple tree rises from each side and rises to entwine at the top center. The branches are covered in blooms and buds and tiles are glazed in an amazing sapphire blue. It is a timeless design that can mix with any interior.

You can find this for sale at BungalowBILL.com

Raymor Italian Pottery

Made in Italy for Raymor

 

Raymor (1941-1980′s) was a well-known American distributor of modern domestic products, evolving from Russell Wright Accessories, with which the company’s founder, Irving Richards, had been linked since 1935. The company’s range included designs by Gilbert Rohde, Donald Deskey, Walter Dorwin Teague, Ray and Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Eva Zeisel. In the post-Second World War period Raymor also imported modern Scandinavian and Italian designs, including work by Arne Jacobsen, Tapio Wirkaala, Hans Wegner, and Ettore Sottsass, the latter designing a wide range of ceramics in the late 1950s. From 1947, when the Richards Morgenthau side of the business was formed, the company also manufactured lighting, ceramics, and glass in its own factory in New Jersey, many items being designed by Irving Richards himself. Although known both as Raymor and Richards Morgenthau & Co., the former was more closely identified with design and imports, the latter with sales. (Oxford Dictionary of Modern Design )

So, when collecting Raymor you’re actually collecting the work of many artists and manufacturers. Many times it is impossible to tell who made the object since these distributors owned the design and may have used different factories to produce them. Sometimes there is a three letter code on their paper labels that will give a clue to the manufacturer, such as BIT on a label would denote it was made by Bitossi.

 

Find this Raymor vase and others at BungalowBILL.com

Trent Tiles, Trenton NJ 1882-1939

"Sporting Cupids" by Trent Tile Co

 

New Jersey may be known for many things now, like Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious and The Sopranos, but in the late 19^th and early 20^th century it was known for its high quality tile. The clay deposits of central Jersey and access to transport hubs made the tile industry flourish. One of these companies was Trent. Based in Trenton, the factory opened in 1882 and employed two of the most talented designers of the time, Isaac Broome and William Gallimore. The quality was high and the company was very successful in supplying a product for all the Beaux Art structures being built at the turn of the century.

These tiles come from a fireplace surround labeled as “Sporting Cupids Facing” in an early Trent catalog. It was a group of frolicking putti floating through the air on a wind blown ribbon. Other examples of this group can be seen in Norman Karlson’s Encyclopedia of American Art Tile, Vol 1 page 185.

 

You can find these antique tiles for sale at BungalowBILL.com

 

 

Muresque Tiles

Muresque Tile 1925-35

California is known for their antique tiles. They range from bright and colorful to soft and monochromatic. The Muresque Tile Company worked in Oakland California 1925-1935. Founded by William Muir, who was a tile setter in his native Glasgow Scotland. The tiles made at Muresque were influenced by Batchelder and Claycraft, many of which were molded scenic images in soft engobe glazes.

This tile is very dimensional, with its deeply molded features. The hacienda has a deep overhanging tile roofline over the balconies. The stone courtyard has a cactus to the right and behind the house are tall palm trees and puffy clouds. This tile has he less common mark on the back of “Muresque Tiles Inc. 1001 22^nd Ave, Oakland Cal.”

 

You can find this tile at BungalowBILL.com

D&M Flamingo Tile Table

 

D&M Flamingo Tile and Iron Table c.1930

The D&M Tile Company of Los Angeles California was only in business for eleven years, 1928-1939. During that time they made some pretty nice tiles, most of which were in geometric Moorish designs. I have only seen this flamingo D&M design once before. I first saw that tile in the 1990′s in a gallery in New Jersey attributed to another maker. It spent time in a collection in the South, came to me, then went into another collection in California.

I was pleased to acquire this sweet little tile and iron stand. Not only is the tile special, but the iron is pretty nice too. The handle arches up and makes it comfortable to carry. The rings on the sides can hold drinks, or small flower pots. The four legs arch to mimic the handle and connect at the stem with rivets and a curled detail. Its size makes it easy to carry and you can always find a spot next to a chair or in a corner to show it off. You can see this at BungalowBILL.com

 

Bungalow Bill in The Record

Girl with Pumpkin by the Mosaic Tile Company

I was interviewed for the North Jersey Media Group this week, which publishes The Record, the second largest newspaper in New Jersey. It turned out to be a nice overview of collecting antique tiles and using them, mixed with new tiles, in renovations. The article is available both in print and online here. There are more pictures in the print version.

Harris Strong Tiles 1970′s

Harris Strong Tiles 1970′s

 

I’ve always been a fan of Harris Strong tiles. I tend to concentrate on the tiles early period of the 1950′s and 1960′s because I think the artistry and designs are ‘strong’er. There are exceptions to every rule. I’m not a fan of the Valley Forge Motel series. The mod faux colonial doesn’t do it for me. The later 1970′s work in Maine usually doesn’t thrill me either.

 

BUT, there are a few 1970′s piece I love, like the tile panel featured this week. The bright colors of the summer flowers casually arranged in a pitcher, with a single flower dropped onto the table make me smile. The white linen matting and the white frame are a perfect compliment to the tiles. I could see this vintage tile panel working wonderfully with a white Knoll Eero Saarinen tulip table and chairs, or the furniture of Verner Panton. However, my house is a mixture of Arts and Crafts and Mid Century and it works just as well hanging on a pale green wall with white painted woodwork.

You can find this vintage tile panel for sale at www.BungalowBILL.com