Tile
late 19th century
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Florence Barnes
Accession Number
1981-56-13
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tile from the late 19th century, produced by J. & J. G. Low Art Tile (active 1877–1883), the golden age of American ceramic artistry. Founded by John Gardner Low in Brooklyn, New York, the pioneered high-quality, artistically designed tiles that blended industrial precision with aesthetic appeal. During the Gilded Age, such tiles adorned fireplaces, bathrooms, and public spaces in affluent homes, reflecting a growing American fascination with decorative arts inspired by European and Japanese motifs. Crafted as part of the era's tile-making boom, this piece highlights innovative...