Lot 928: Pottery. H. A. Cawkwell, 25 April, 1878. Terracotta Garden Tile. (Malvern, Victoria)

Very Good. (N/A). Some chipping to the upper ridges. Actually, chips and flakes to the edges both front and back around the tile, some or most of which may be from making, except for the larger upper examples. Plenty of making marks. A great tile in my mind with some great history, I haven't seen this one before, but admittedly have zero knowledge on tiles. What I can say, on the 16th of April 1881, the Riverine Herald in Echuca ran an article that stated, "H. A. Cawkwell, "Australian Mosaic Tile Works," situated in the centre of Malvern, about four miles from Melbourne, who commenced twenty years ago by making agricultural drain-pipes, for which several medals, dating from 1861, have been awarded, is making encaustic titles most successfully. The clay is there, and in almost inexhaustible quantities, sufficient to last for centuries. Mr. J. Cosmo Newbery reports that they can sink on it, as it will pay to raise perpendicular seams. After numerous experiments and difficulties, they have succeeded in making a capital green tile, and other varieties will follow. Additional employees are expected out to the works from England. Commencing at 15 inches from the surface, they are now working clay 30 feet deep. The kaolin clay is particularly white, and steolite or soapstone used in the making of tiles." The article continues on from there! Malvern is inner suburbs now, obviously without any 30 foot deep holes - I wonder what they filled the hole with?. Estimate: $100-150