Tile
late 19th century
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Florence Barnes
Accession Number
1981-56-43
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tile, produced by J. & J. G. Low Art Tile Works between 1877 and 1883, exemplifies the late 19th-century American fascination with decorative ceramics. Founded in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the Low was a leader in the burgeoning art tile industry, crafting high-quality glazed tiles that blended industrial precision with artistic flair. These tiles were designed for architectural embellishment—think ornate fireplaces, bathrooms, and public spaces— beauty into everyday American homes during the Gilded Age. The medium of ceramic tiles held particular significance in this era, as manu...