Early California Monumental San Jose Tile Table

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This tile table was made by San Jose tile company. San Jose was founded in 1940 by Ethel Wilson Harris. … Read more This tile table was made by San Jose tile company. San Jose was founded in 1940 by Ethel Wilson Harris. San Jose is located in the San Jose Mission in San Antonio Texas. In 1931 she started a Mexican arts and craft shop in an old Louis barn on North St. Mary Street. In 1940 Helen and her family and the shop moved to the historic San Jose mission that was built in 1720. They lived there in six rooms made of the ancient 4 foot thick adobe walls during the depression she was hired by the WPA to manage their arts and crafts division her panels were installed at the Alamo Stadium and along the San Antonio Riverwalk. She continue to produce pottery and tiles and other crafts while at the mission her motives were often Mexican scenes or local southwest flowers and plants. The tiles were glazed in brilliant colors some so bright that the uranium oxide would light up Geiger counters! As a signature or Mark she used the Maguey plant A local form of the century plant which she considered the most beautiful in all of Texas. It was used as a subject or signature glazed on the front of the tiles were scratched into the backs . Most of her common designs were done on single 6 x 6 -8 x 8 or 12 x 12 tiles. Her rarest pieces were made into tile murals which consist mostly as 4-6 or 8 pc tiles creating a mural. For this 20 piece tile scene to surface is truly something special. This tile table was brought forth by a private collector where it was tucked away in a storage unit for over 40+ years. We are very excited at an opportunity to feature such a gem as this!!! Almost lost in time. The table is in good condition considering it’s age of approximately 80 years. There is a small hairline crack in one of the tiles as well a few small chips See less