Collectable Tiles

Rare Mantel with Set of Seventeen Aesthetic Tiles

A rare example of a mantel designed for displaying tiles, we have seen just a handful of these over the nearly thrity years of trading. Inevitably we have had to separate the tiles and mantel or lose money and risk selling to someone who would do that which we were reluctant to do, such is the nature of the marketplace.

Perhaps due to our location in the English midlands we have seen more of this style of mantel in cast iron made locally by a superb quality ironfounder, Samuel Smith of Beehive Foundry in Smethiwck. They did a range of iron panels to fit in the recesses or supplied racks so that tiles could be fitted. They did not have tiles in the plinths.

Seventeen tiles are a standard set for tiles to fit within a larger, more important mantel than this which is of relatively dimunitive proportions having an aperture width of only 32" and these tiles certainly deserve a grand setting. The arrangement would measure 42" wide x 36" high, a standard opening for period US mantels.

The mantel without tiles would be ideal for a tile collector to temporarily fix to the wall and use to display a selection from their collection, which could be rotated, replaced etc. It is of very sound construction in pitch pine, the shelf can be easily removed, it was affixed with two screws (which we have retained) and two nails into the moulding which have been cut through.

The mantel is in generally good condition, there are small cut outs at the either end of the shelf where it was cut to fit around a timber bead which made the square angle at the edges of the chimney breast - itself a sign of a quality built house. There are a few marks around the plinths and a little paint residue from decorating the wall at the back edges, it will benefit from cleaning and waxing.

The mantel was removed from a house in Hereford and quite appropriately the tiles were made by Godwins of Hereford. Godwins we rate in the top five majolica tile makers besting many better known names, they achieved both superb moulding and superb glazing, the two core requirements of majolica tile making, their design work was pretty good too.

The tiles are in a superb mid turquoise colour in the aesthetic taste.

The frieze of five tiles has a circular patera at it's centre with a bird in the middles of the circle, foliate patterns with birds and butterflies extend outwards.

The corner block tiles have a mask of a cavalier at their centre.

The plinth tiles have a superb flowing design that would not look amiss on William Morris wallpaper or fabric.

The pilaster tiles are my favourites even though the vase tiles are a slightly darker hue. The vase is a great shape with greek key style handles and either side of the base are mythical beasts. There is a left handed and a right handed version of the similar but different design, again with birds and butterflies, to make up the mid tiles, the top tiles have a super spray of flowers and a butterfly and end in an arch. These really are exquisite panels of tiles.

We have not yet made a detailed inspection of the tiles but they appear to be in fine condition as one would expect being recessed and protected by the frame. They are fixed in to the mantel with wooden beading, we would expect the edges to be good as they too are protected, it seems unlikely they have been nibbled down to fit the frame.

The pilaster tiles, both in general design and colour, remind me of some similar Minton Hollins examples but these are so much better. I have a house to view next week, dating from 1902 which is not too inappropraite, maybe I am tempted....

The photographs were taken in daylight on a bright but overcast day.

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Rare Mantel with Set of Seventeen Aesthetic Tiles
A rare example of a mantel designed for displaying tiles, we have seen just a handful of these over the nearly thrity years of trading. Inevitably we have had to separate the tiles and mantel or lose money and risk selling to someone who would do that which we were reluctant to do, such is the nature of the marketplace. Perhaps due to our location in the English midlands we have seen more of this style of mantel in cast iron made locally by a superb quality ironfounder, Samuel Smith of Beehive Foundry in Smethiwck. They did a range of iron panels to fit in the recesses or supplied racks so that tiles could be fitted. They did not have tiles in the plinths. Seventeen tiles are a standard set for tiles to fit within a larger, more important mantel than this which is of relatively dimunitive proportions having an aperture width of only 32" and these tiles certainly deserve a grand setting. The arrangement would measure 42" wide x 36" high, a standard opening for period US mantels. The mantel without tiles would be ideal for a tile collector to temporarily fix to the wall and use to display a selection from their collection, which could be rotated, replaced etc. It is of very sound construction in pitch pine, the shelf can be easily removed, it was affixed with two screws (which we have retained) and two nails into the moulding which have been cut through.

The mantel is in generally good condition, there are small cut outs at the either end of the shelf where it was cut to fit around a timber bead which made the square angle at the edges of the chimney breast - itself a sign of a quality built house. There are a few marks around the plinths and a little paint residue from decorating the wall at the back edges, it will benefit from cleaning and waxing.


The mantel was removed from a house in Hereford and quite appropriately the tiles were made by Godwins of Hereford. Godwins we rate in the top five majolica tile makers besting many better known names, they achieved both superb moulding and superb glazing, the two core requirements of majolica tile making, their design work was pretty good too. The tiles are in a superb mid turquoise colour in the aesthetic taste. The frieze of five tiles has a circular patera at it's centre with a bird in the middles of the circle, foliate patterns with birds and butterflies extend outwards. The corner block tiles have a mask of a cavalier at their centre. The plinth tiles have a superb flowing design that would not look amiss on William Morris wallpaper or fabric. The pilaster tiles are my favourites even though the vase tiles are a slightly darker hue. The vase is a great shape with greek key style handles and either side of the base are mythical beasts. There is a left handed and a right handed version of the similar but different design, again with birds and butterflies, to make up the mid tiles, the top tiles have a super spray of flowers and a butterfly and end in an arch. These really are exquisite panels of tiles. We have not yet made a detailed inspection of the tiles but they appear to be in fine condition as one would expect being recessed and protected by the frame. They are fixed in to the mantel with wooden beading, we would expect the edges to be good as they too are protected, it seems unlikely they have been nibbled down to fit the frame. The pilaster tiles, both in general design and colour, remind me of some similar Minton Hollins examples but these are so much better. I have a house to view next week, dating from 1902 which is not too inappropraite, maybe I am tempted....
The photographs were taken in daylight on a bright but overcast day.