one of several 19th century antique american embossed majolica figural trent company fireplace tiles with allover crazed finish

interior residential majolica glazed fireplace portrait or figural tile salvaged from a 19th century chicago two-flat shortly before the house was demolished in 1959. the antique american interior residential bust-length portrait tile depicting a young costumed girl looking downward. the richly colored reddish-brown majolica glazed fireplace portrait tile was fabricated by the trent tile co., trenton, nj. the dust pressed embossed tile was likely designed by isaac broome. measures 6 x 6 inches. surface exhibits allover crazing. trent tile company, founded in 1882, produced a wide variety of decorative embossed tiles in numerous glaze colors during the last two decades of the 19th century. the company's first designer was isaac broome, well recognized at the time for his modeling of the human figure, face and profile. he was followed by william gallimore, a designer and modeler from england who also had a well-established reputation. over the years the company's success paralleled the country's economy overall; the factory eventually closed in 1939.