Tile

Art Historical Context

This charming 5 x 5-inch earthenware, crafted by British innovator John Sadler between 1757 and 1761, exemplifies the dawn of a transformative era in ceramic decoration. Sadler, based in Liverpool, England, was a pioneer in transfer-printing—a groundbreaking technique that revolutionized pottery production. Rather than hand-painting each piece, designs were printed onto thin tissue paper from engraved copper plates, then transferred onto unglazed earthenware and fired, allowing for vibrant, repeatable patterns at scale. This tile, likely featuring figures of men and women (as suggested by its ...