- Style/technique: Pictorial print
- Manufacturer: Mintons China Works
- Dimensions: 6" x 6"
- Date: circa 1890
One of a series of built landscapes dating from around
1885, a view entitled 'Edinburgh Castle from the
Grassmarket'. Lockett has this scene, the eight inch
version, illustrated on page 96, which he reports is
signed by William Wise. It is a particularly finely
detailed work as if he tried to engrave every brick and
tile and there are tiny figures apparently unloading a
cart in front of The Beehive Hotel. Austwick illustrates
another tile from the series and attributes it to William
Wise. Wise would have been the engraver rather than the
artist, this was a famous view also appearing in tourist
literature, stereoscopic views and on postcards.
This was purpose made as a trivet and is presumably
not one of the very earliest as the biscuit has had the
corners and edges rounded off. This was done by hand
before decorating so that the softened corners would be
less likely to get damaged in use. Extremely rare to find
in such excellent condition, even the little feet have
the only tiny marks from where the it stood on pegs in
the kiln.
Mintons China Works did various series of landscapes,
this appears to be from a series of tourist sites, there
are several Edinburgh scenes and some from Stratford upon
Avon/Warwickshire area and the Derbyshire Peak District.
The ruined abbey tiles may also be part of the series
although it may not be a series as such as they may have
been made primarily for their specific markets in
souvenir shops which would tie in with their being often
found on pot stands.
