BLACK DOG OF WELLS

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Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS

In late eighteenth century a sheep a duck and a rooster were apparently the first passengers to travel in a hot air balloon.
Here a cheerful man gives a celebratory wave from the basket of his balloon. The design is inspired by the ornate patterns which decorated early hot air balloons.

Dimensions: 8.7cm x 11.2cm

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Home Sweet Home

HOME SWEET HOME

This phrase was a favourite of our nineteenth century ancestors, often appearing on samplers and paintings in simple Victorian homes. Here it is incorporated into a charming house blessing.

Based on a glass model of the period, the design shows a typical little Victorian house, with trees, picket fencing and a cat on the doorstep. Fixed inside or outside the house, this Victorian tile would bring a warm nostalgic note to any home.

Dimensions: 9.7cm x 11cm

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Love is Enough

LOVE IS ENOUGH

This lovely decorative wall tile is Based on a design by William Morris for his
‘Doves and Roses’ woven textile of 1879. The woven textile has since been reproduced as wallpaper and printed fabric. A banner incorporated into our design contains the words “Love is enough” in the romantic black letter script favoured by Morris and his circle.

These words form the title of the second book of poems written by Morris and printed by his Kelmscott Press.
The design and words form a popular and romantic tile, which is often given as an engagement present as well as for weddings and particular anniversaries.

Dimensions: 10.5cm x 10cm

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Nautical Blessing

GO WITH A FAIR WIND AND A FOLLOWING TIDE

This mariner’s benediction was given to the captain and crew of a ship when leaving dock to wish them good fortune and a safe journey.
The design is based on a 19th century clipper in full sail from a stone carving found in the museum associated with the ruined Carmelite church in Lisbon. The church is kept unrestored as a memorial to the devastating earthquake of 1755.
An ideal gift to give to a sailor or fisherman. This nautical blessing could also be given at a farewell ceremony or as retirement present. (The contemporary frame option is not shown as the tile is marginally too wide for the frame)

Dimensions: 11.2cm x 8.8cm

New Design launched July 2010

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Owl & Pussycat

THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEA IN A BEAUTIFUL PEA-GREEN BOAT

Edward Lear (1812 – 1888) was an artist, humorist and traveller. He wrote his famous poem ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’ for Jane Symond’s three-year old daughter, Janet. This, his second nonsense book, was published in 1871, titled, ‘Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets’.
His first ‘Book of Nonsense’ published in 1846 was written for the grandchildren of the 13th Earl of Derby. He illustrated his limericks and nonsense songs with his inimitable humorous drawings.

This amusing wall decoration incorporates the first two lines of the poem. We designed the tile with its merry interpretation of the story for parents and grandparents to give to their offspring as a protest against the growing tide of plastic toys.

The first few lines of this lengthy poem read:
"The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat.
They took some honey and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note ......"

However, the verses which refer to the nuptials of the happy couple make it a favourite poem to be read at modern weddings and it is often given as an extra wedding present.

Dimensions: 10.2cm x 10.5cm

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The Craftsmen

GOOD MEN ARE HARD TO FIND

This decorative ceramic tile is based on carvings on Brasenose College, Oxford, showing a carpenter, a mason and plumbers at work. They hold the tools of their trades and are the inspiration for the text that runs beneath: “Good Men are hard to find.”

Originally an English proverb, the words reappear in other contexts. Here in the form of a song from 1918:
“A good man is hard to find, you always get the other kind!” And more recently the phrase appeared in the film Forest Gump.

Could this be the ideal gift for the man in your life?

Dimensions: 10.2cm x 10.5cm

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Love Today & Forever

LOVE TODAY AND FOREVER

In central Europe, richly decorated cookies were traditionally given as love tokens. The cake mixture – often gingerbread – was pressed into a wooden mould and the resulting biscuit or cake was baked and sometimes iced before being presented to your loved one.

This wall hanging is based on a 19th century wooden gingerbread mould from Slovakia, formally part of Czechoslovakia. It shows a sweet young couple arm in arm and dressed in their Sunday best – or possibly their wedding finery. The words run up and down each side: Love today and forever

This tile, which also looks very good in one of our frames, is often chosen as a present for a special wedding anniversary. Depicting such a happy couple! It also makes a humorous wedding gift which will last over the years to come.

Dimensions: 10.2cm x 9.8cm