Collection
/
Decorative Arts and Design

Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles

S. Van Campen & Company

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

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.

Caption

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, Gift of Kevin L. Stayton, 88.155.5. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Salesman's Sample of Kensington Tiles

Date

1883–1888

Geography

Place manufactured: New York, United States

Medium

Composition board

Classification

Tiles

Dimensions

5 13/16 x 5 13/16 x 1/4 in. (14.8 x 14.8 x 0.6 cm)

Signatures

no signature

Inscriptions

no inscriptions

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)

Credit Line

Gift of Kevin L. Stayton

Accession Number

88.155.5

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Artists and makers

S. Van Campen & Company

2 works in the collection