Antique Kensington Majolica 6" Tile with Mark Circa 1880s, Newport KY

Rare 6” x 6” antique majolica tile crafted by the Kensington Art Tile Company of Newport, Kentucky, between 1883 and 1893. Tiles from this short-lived company are treasured for both their rarity and their remarkable artistry, making them highly collectible today.

The tile displays a rich chocolate-brown glaze with a high-relief foliate motif—symmetrical scrolling acanthus leaves crowned by delicate flourishes and anchored with a central stylized leaf. The design has depth and elegance, the glossy glaze catching highlights and shadows that emphasize the raised details.

On the reverse, this tile bears the famous Kensington Art Tile mark—a beautifully embossed design featuring flowing script set diagonally within a cartouche, enhanced by a radiant sunburst and scrolling flourishes. Far more than a simple maker’s stamp, this mark is widely admired among collectors for its artistic presentation and is considered one of the most stunning backstamps of any 19th-century American tile manufacturer. A small trace of mortar remains from past installation, but it does not obscure the clarity or beauty of the mark.

Today, Kensington tiles are cherished by collectors of antique ceramics and architectural salvage for their artistry and scarcity. This example represents a rare opportunity to acquire both a visually striking majolica surface design and a well-preserved example of the iconic Kensington mark—a combination not often found together.

Whether displayed in a frame, showcased in a tile stand, or preserved in a collection, this is a true piece of American decorative art history.

Product Details:

• Dimensions: 6” x 6”
  Maker: Kensington Art Tile Company, Newport, KY
  Date: c. 1883–1893
  Style: Victorian Majolica Art Tile
  Condition: Excellent, with crisp relief, glossy glaze, and clear maker’s mark on reverse.

About Kensington Art Tile Company:
Founded in 1881 by the Hatt brothers as Hatt & Hatt, the firm became the Kensington Art Tile Company in 1885 under new investors. Though production ceased by 1895, Kensington’s brief decade of output included some of the most refined and artistic tiles of the American art pottery movement. Their designs benefited from the talents of Herman Mueller and Mary Louise McLaughlin—the latter also a co-founder of Rookwood Pottery in nearby Cincinnati.