Tile
MakerMade by
The Hartford Faience Co.
(founded 1895)
Dateabout 1904
MediumPress-molded earthenware with green, yellow, and red glaze
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width x depth): 4 3/8 x 4 3/8in. (11.1 x 11.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1995.57.0
DescriptionSquare, earthenware tile with opaque green, yellow, and red glazes. The style of this tile reflects the Arts and Crafts and the pre-Raphaelite movements, popular in America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In the center of the tile, the raised head of a medieval king is superimposed over a red cross. The king wears a crown with a fleur de lis on top. The king's head faces right, and there is a spear on either side of the head, also superimposed over the cross. Shallow impressed lines in the green background of the tile give the impression of light emanating from the center of the tile. Above the decoration is the impressed word "EXPOSITION", with the words "ST. LOUIS 1904" below. The glazes cover the sides of the tile, but not the back, where the cream-colored earthenware is visible. The back of the tile has an impressed rectangular area with the raised words, "THE/ HARTFORD FAIENCE CO./ HARTFORD, CONN." There are two small chips on the back edges of the tile, and light crazing over all the glazed surfaces.
NotesHistorical Note: The 1904 World's Fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904. (Hunt 9/27/2004)Subject Note: Saint Louis IX (1215-1270) was a King of France who led the seventh and eighth crusades in 1249-52 and 1270 respectively. (Hunt 10/14/2004)
Status
Not on view
