An unusual and attractive British studio pottery stoneware tile dating to around the 1930s. Signed Bell to the bottom right for Ablett Bell, fireplace & lifestyle retailer Bell of Northampton. This tile, made by Bell himself, mimics the style of Dutch 'cloisonne' tiles Bell had made in bulk by De Porceleyne Fles for his shop. I've not been able to find another example.

Hand-made in coarse buff grogged stoneware with raised tube-lined (cloisonné-style) decoration depicting a maids nose being pecked off by crows, a scene from the 'Sing a Song of Sixpence' nursery rhyme. The design is executed in a palette of mustard, pale blue, green, black, brown and pink glazes.

The reverse is completely unmarked but displays hand-scored diagonal keying marks, confirming it was individually made rather than factory pressed. The body, construction and decoration place it within the British Arts & Crafts/Studio Pottery tradition.

From the Chris Blanchett Collection (collector’s label to reverse, catalogue reference ABE 001). Chris Blanchett was one of Britain’s foremost authorities on 20th-century decorative British tiles, making this an interesting provenance for collectors and researchers alike.

Just over 10cm

Crazing and wear. Chips, nibbles & frits. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

An excellent and uncommon piece of British inter-war studio ceramics, with strong decorative appeal and excellent provenance.