Collections: Decorative Arts: Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles

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Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles

These extremely rare “paper tiles” were made for a company that also produced molded tiles. The very convincing paper versions of glazed earthenware tiles were probably made by pressing paper on an actual ceramic tile and then painting and lacquering them. “Paper tiles” may have been used in showrooms or by traveling sales representatives as lightweight and unbreakable samples.


This text refers to these objects: 88.155.4; 88.155.5

• Maker: S. Van Campen & Company
• Medium: Composition board
• Place Manufactured: New York, USA
• Dates: 1883-1888
• Dimensions: 5 13/16 x 5 13/16 x 1/4 in. (14.8 x 14.8 x 0.6 cm)
• Markings: on white paper label pasted on back with orange print with vertical floral arrangement on left edge and reads in center: " KENSINGTON / . TILES. / MANUFACTURED BY / S. VAN CAMPEN & CO. / NEW YORK." Below is a trademark with in rococo cartouche flanked by "TRADE / MARK" and within cartouche is: "S ...VC / & / Co.". (see file)
• Signature: no signature
• Inscriptions: no inscriptions
• Collections: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 88.155.5
• Credit Line: Anonymous gift
• Image: Overall, 88.155.5_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
S. Van Campen & Company. Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles, 1883-1888. Composition board, 5 13/16 x 5 13/16 x 1/4 in. (14.8 x 14.8 x 0.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 88.155.5 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.155.5_PS2.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Tile made of embossed composition board, varnished with transparent ochre-colored varnish. The composition consists of a gaunt elderly man in profile, facing to the right edge of tile. The hollowed-cheek figure has a beard and mustache, his eyes heavy-lidded, and wearing a stocking cap. The figure is in very high relief. Impressed in front: "The / Lean / & / Slip / peered / Pantaloon". Imprinted in bottom, center edge is: "S. Van Campen (indistinct lettering) N.Y." CONDITION - Good; warped, bowing in the center. Varnished surface is cracked, most notably on the highest areas of relief, such as cheekbones, slipper cap and brows.