Charles B. Upjohn (1880-1953) for Trent Tile Co.
rare earthenware six-tile tableau done by painting and sgraffito, featuring a gondolier and gondola in the Venice harbor
Trenton, New Jersey, 1906
matte glazed ceramic
raised company name, incised artist's full name and date lower right front
overall: 17 5/8"w x 11 7/8"h x 3/4"d

Provenance:
The Estate of Joseph Bailey, Sr., Lancaster, South Carolina

Catalog Note:
After working for Weller Pottery and Cambridge Pottery in Ohio and failing to make C.B. Upjohn Pottery Co. successful, Upjohn joined Trent Tile in New Jersey in 1906. This tile tableau may have been one of his first efforts there, as it is dated on the back, "Aug 11, 1906". Upjohn used the same sgraffito style here that he incorporated when doing Dickensware pieces early in his Weller career.

Minor touch-ups to shallow nicks to six corners or edges. Firing separations visible on back of some tiles are faintly visible on the front of three. No other chips, cracks or repairs.