On the Edge of a Garden

This strangely shaped, terra cotta, salt glazed tile was unearthed recently in a Brisbane suburban garden and brought to the Museum for identification.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries these tiles were used to form the edges of garden beds and they were once a common sight in Brisbane. The cable ornament formed the upper edging and the serrated lower edge was dug into the earth.

The tile is one of many domestic and industrial wares made by the well-known firm of James Campbell and Sons, whose name is impressed into the tile's face. Campbells operated a pottery works at Albion, Brisbane, from 1880s to the 1930s. With the current interest in restoring old Queenslanders some enterprising tile maker should start producing replicas.

Other examples of Campbell's pottery are on show in the Queensland Museum's Inquiry Centre.

This humble tile represents a part of Queensland's heritage and when the owner offered to donate it to the Museum we were delighted to accept.