Antique 1901 Mintons 6 x 12 inch relief moulded majolica tile, Venus and Cupid

Size:  15 x 30.5 cm (6 x 12 inches). Thickness of tile edge 15mm.

Condition:  Excellent condition, no chips cracks restoration or significant wear. Clean crazing overall as expected.

This extremely well made tile shows Venus, the goddess of Love, with Cupid. Cupid's quiver lies at Venus' feet with two doves perching on it. Venus sits on a rock covered in drapery, scantily clad herself, and holds a branch in her hand (possibly this is an olive branch with which she is scolding Cupid).

The tile is mould cast from a very well made original, it is finished in a pinky-brown glaze which has fired with a very nice iridescence where it is thicker.

The edges of the tile are slightly tapered. so that it could fit snugly into a frame. There are also however two hanging holes in the top edge which were clearly made before firing, so it appears it also could have been intended to be wall hung on its own.  There is an old hanging wire.

The marks are the Mintons impressed mark, the year code for 1901 (there are also date codes), the shape number 2523, and another impressed number 594 with a star, meaning unknown.

Mintons was a major company in Staffordshire, Europe's leading ceramic factory during the Victorian era, and an independent business from 1793 to 1968. It was a leader in ceramic design, working in a number of different ceramic bodies, decorative techniques, and a glorious pot-pourri of styles.  As well as pottery vessels and sculptures, the firm was a leading manufacturer of tiles and other architectural ceramics, producing work for both the Houses of Parliament and United States Capitol (entry from Wikipedia).