Decor: Delftch Year: 1905. High:
15cm. Wide: 15cm Painted
by: AB = Anna Whilhelmina Bouwmeester?
This tile was painted by the PZH in Gouda.
The tile shows a fair bit of history. The blank (the tile itself,
also called a bisquit) was imported from Wedgwood in England. This is
clearly visible because of the 2 handled Amphora vase visible in the
circle on the back. Apparently they bought the tiles already made, in
different sizes. This tile measures the standard 6 by 6 inches.
The tile was then painted and glazed in Gouda. The decor name
chosen was Delftch, this is an old-fashioned way of spelling for the word
Delft. Maybe they did not dare to call the design Delft, after all the
Porceleyne fles pottery who claimed ownership of the "Delft" brand was
already (Unsuccessfully) suing another pottery for the use of the word
Delft.
The initials AB can be confusing because a few painters used those
initials. I believe this tile dates to about 1905 or earlier. Anna worked
for the PZH until 1905, so I think she might be the painter. The
only other person I can find in that period with those initials is an 11
year old girl. She would most likely have worked there as an apprentice
and not likely as a painter.