Tile (2) - Hermenegildo Miralles - 1910-1920

Hermenegildo Miralles – Pascó No. 11 – Pair of Modernista (Catalan Art Nouveau) papier-mâché tiles – Barcelona

Pair of antique Modernista papier-mâché tiles made of pressed paper-pulp by Hermenegildo Miralles in Barcelona.

Model “Pascó No. 11”.

The two pieces share the same decorative motif, featuring a stylized bird surrounded by vegetal and geometric relief ornamentation, polychromed in shades of brown, turquoise blue, and cream.

These pieces are especially interesting for their manufacturing technique. They are not conventional ceramic tiles, but tiles made using the pressed paper-pulp technique developed and patented by Hermenegildo Miralles in the late 19th century.

On the back of both pieces remains the original factory mark:

“PASCÓ Nº 11

PATENTE INVENCIÓN

HERMENEGILDO MIRALLES

59 – BAILÉN – 59

BARCELONA

FÁBRICA NACIONAL DE AZULEJOS”

Hermenegildo Miralles was one of the manufacturers linked to the decorative arts of Catalan Modernism and stood out especially for his decorative tiles made using this particular technique.

Dimensions:

20 × 20 cm each piece.

Quantity:

2 tiles.

Material:

Pressed paper pulp / papier-mâché, molded, polychromed and finished with a protective coat.

Origin:

Barcelona, Spain.

Period:

Late 19th century / early 20th century.

Style:

Modernisme / Art Nouveau.

Condition:

Condition consistent with age. Both pieces show wear, small losses of material, scuffs, and chipping mainly along edges and corners. One piece shows greater losses in the upper area. The central decoration and colors are well preserved.

The reverse retains the original factory marks, clearly visible.

The two pieces shown in the photographs are sold together.

The photographs form part of the description and allow a detailed view of the condition, the original marks, the edges, and the decoration of both pieces.

An interesting ensemble for collectors of Catalan Modernism, historic tiling and Barcelona decorative arts.