Pilkington & Co Heraldic Blue Lustre Tile

A decorative 6-inch heraldic blue lustre tile by Pilkington, circa 1915, impressed with a single ‘P’ to the reverse.

Decorated with a beautiful lustre glaze, this antique English tile is detailed with a striking contrast of royal blue colour and gold foliate patterns around a central armorial shield to the centre detailed with a rampant lion.

A brilliant piece of British pottery for a collector of historical ceramics.

PILKINGTON

Pilkington’s was established in Clifton Junction, Manchester in 1891 by four members of the Pilkington family. Employing Josiah Wedgwood’s former chemist, William Burton, as company manager, the pottery collaborated with leading British designers including Lewis Foreman Day, Walter Crane and C. F. A. Voysey.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Pilkington’s were one of the leading makers of high-quality tiles and pottery in Britain, rivalling well-known names of the ceramics world such as Maw & Co, Doulton and Minton. Such was Pilkington’s reputation that they were awarded a Royal Warrant in 1913 by George V, trading under the name Pilkington’s Lancastrian Pottery Company.

Examples of Pilkington’s tiles can be found in The British Museum and London’s V&A.

CONDITION REPORT

Good structural condition. No repairs or damage. Back and sides clean. Some surface wear. Very minor chipping. Clear tile stand pictured not included.