Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles
Decorative Arts and Design
These extremely rare “paper tiles” were made for a company that also produced molded tiles. The very convincing paper versions of glazed earthenware tiles were probably made by pressing paper on an actual ceramic tile and then painting and lacquering them. “Paper tiles” may have been used in showrooms or by traveling sales representatives as lightweight and unbreakable samples.
MAKER
S. Van Campen & Company
MEDIUM
Composition board
DATES
1883â1888
DIMENSIONS
5 13/16 x 5 13/16 x 1/4 in. (14.8 x 14.8 x 0.6 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
on white paper label pasted on back with orange print with vertical floral arrangement on left edge and reads in center: " KENSINGTON / . TILES. / MANUFACTURED BY / S. VAN CAMPEN & CO. / NEW YORK." Below is a trademark with in rococo cartouche flanked by "TRADE / MARK" and within cartouche is: "S ...VC / & / Co.". (see file)
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.155.5
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Kevin L. Stayton
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Tile made of embossed composition board, varnished with transparent ochre-colored varnish. The composition consists of a gaunt elderly man in profile, facing to the right edge of tile. The hollowed-cheek figure has a beard and mustache, his eyes heavy-lidded, and wearing a stocking cap. The figure is in very high relief. Impressed in front: "The / Lean / & / Slip / peered / Pantaloon". Imprinted in bottom, center edge is: "S. Van Campen (indistinct lettering) N.Y."
CONDITION - Good; warped, bowing in the center. Varnished surface is cracked, most notably on the highest areas of relief, such as cheekbones, slipper cap and brows.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
S. Van Campen & Company. Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles, 1883â1888. Composition board, 5 13/16 x 5 13/16 x 1/4 in. (14.8 x 14.8 x 0.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Kevin L. Stayton, 88.155.5 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.155.5_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 88.155.5_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
No known copyright restrictions
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