Tile by Minton Hollins & Co, Staffordshire, c.1880
This symmetrical tile showing a pair of white doves was made when Queen Victoria was Queen of England. Many Victorian designers adapted decoration they found in old medieval buildings, especially religious buildings like churches. This Victorian style is called âGothic Revivalâ.
Pictures of doves were popular in Christian places of worship as they stood for peace and Godâs Holy Spirit. Some medieval tiles were made with doves on them. Perhaps a medieval tile inspired this one?
A medieval tile decorated with two symmetrical doves was found at Meaux Abbey, near Hull. Other tiles with doves have been found in other areas of the country. In the Victorian period, designers working for tile companies looked at medieval designs and made new tiles based on them. The tiles they made were mostly for floors and were known as âencausticâ tiles. This tile was made for a wall.
The tile has been moulded so the picture is slightly raised or âin reliefâ. This makes it stand out more from the green background. This tile is unusual because it is coated with a type of âceladonâ glaze. Celadon is a translucent pale green glaze. It was originally used to coat Chinese porcelain. European makers used celadon glaze to imitate Chinese pottery.
