Antique "Minton, Hollins, & Co." of Stoke-Upon-Trent Encaustic Tile Set - Circa 1880
This Is An Antique Item
This is a set of 8 encaustic floor tile made by the Campbell Brick & Tile Company of Stoke-Upon-Trent, England. These floor tile feature a red and gold color scheme and a leafy fourfold symmetry design. They have some stains on them from many years of foot traffic. One tile is damaged.
Minton was one of the most prominent British manufacturers of tile, porcelain and pottery in the late 18th century. Victorian architecture featured encaustic floor tile in both residential and commercial buildings. Floor patterns often featured geometric patterns set in two or more colors with brightly colored inset tiles of contrasting tones. Encaustic tile is unique because the patterns are not glazed on the surface, but instead are formed during the manufacturing process which involves pouring  colored liquid clay into molded patterns. When fired, the tile is durable and prevents the loss of color and design over the years. Â