Posted 10 years ago
friendofvi…
(22 items)
I bought this Minton piece recently. I have never owned Minton anything. As I am looking over this 1870s? piece from the fab Aesop's fables tiles and I see that it looks a bit faded or has a little loss to the ochre color. The piece sure looks old. Were there any seconds from the factory way back then or could someone have cleaned it too much? I have tried to see if there are tiles in this condition and I have seen one with a "smudge" on eBay but I just don't know. Any thoughts are appreciated.
The Goat Calf & Sheep in Partnership with the Lion.
(The title is read in curious fashion, starting from ten o'clock and reading toward two o'clock, and then restarting from eight and reading toward four. In the upper left and lower right, one needs to read going up; the key is to start as far left as possible and always move right.)
"An alliance made with the high and mighty can never be trusted. This little fable proves my point.
A cow and a she-goat and a long-suffering sheep decided to become the lion's companions. They went into the forest together and there they caught an extremely large stag which they divided into four portions. Then the lion said, 'I claim the first portion by right of my title, since I am called the king; the second portion you will give me as your partner; then, because I am strongest, the third portion is mine ... and woe betide anyone who dares to touch the fourth!' In this way the wicked lion carried off all the spoils for himself." http://mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/14.htm
Nice!
John MOYR SMITH (1839-1912)? or C.O. Murray?
Great mark on the back too!
Check out these dour:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/287907
Thank you, for your input in this discussion. It was good of you to think of the story and then share. That story seemed to have escaped my memory. I like lions so I bought this piece. You mentioned, "John MOYR SMITH (1839-1912)? or C.O. Murray?" I read this just now on an auction site back from 2011. "JOHN MOYR SMITH (1839-1912) FOR MINTONS LTD GROUP OF SEVEN 'AESOP'S FABLES' SERIES TILES, CIRCA 1878" My tile has been framed for a very long time. I was wondering about how it seems a little faded or has some loss to the ochre color. Do you have any thoughts?
Check out the live auctioneers link in #2. There are four black and cream versions. It looks like they did it in red and cream and blue and white too!
Thank you, again! You are a quick responder with lots of good information. I had found on the net where they made other colors. How do I get to link in #2?
I think these were designed by Moyr Smith. My best riend collects these Minton/Moyr Smith tiles :)
Not sure about this series, but there's sooo many colour variations for these tiles! I should take pics of his tile collection and share them here :)
Google this in the inverted commas:
" Four Minton Aesthetic movement wall tiles"
Then go to the site.
Thank you, austrohungaro. I have read this but wasn't sure. It seems that there is conflicting information on the internet. Thank you, for sharing your thoughts.
Hi vetraio50. You always have the best information! I see them.. looks like a great deal for the set. Auctions are difficult because people's emotions get in the way and one can end up paying more for an item. I stink at auction bidding because I cannot control myself! Hahaha. ;)
Thank you, Weirdpuckett for the comment. I am going to leave it in that old frame. It seems to have been in there for a long time. I think it protects the edges so there it will stay while I have the pleasure of owning it. :D Cheers!