“Flower with Dotted Roads” Tile Puzzle

A 6” x 6” transferware tile image is set on the diagonal, overlaid on a field of the same tile at a smaller scale. The potter was Sherwin & Cotton, in operation from 1877–1911 in Hanley, Staffordshire. "No. 111" is printed on the back of the tile.

This is a complex pattern with a basic square diamond shape dotted road in the center with round bump-outs. The round arrow-shapes at top and bottom are part of that square diamond and are each filled with a foliated scroll. A small yellow flower at the very center is surrounded on two sides with two urns with clinging vines. The “roads” (strapwork) are yellow-colored with dots so it can be seen that the center section is placed on top of the square diamond. More crossed “roadways” are produced when the group of 9 tiles is put together, as in the background here. The outer sections of foliated scrolls on dotted background form new light-colored large motifs that contrast with the dark pattern on a single tile.  TCC Members can find the tile listed in the Database under pattern #18585.