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Object Timeline

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1990

  • We acquired this object.

2003

2004

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2025

  • You found it!

Japanese Cranes Over Waves Tile

This is a Tile. It was designed by Christopher Dresser and manufactured by Minton, Hollins & Co.. It is dated ca. 1870 and we acquired it in 1990. Its medium is glazed earthenware. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Christopher Dresser (1834–1904) held a position of considerable importance in the history of design during the 19th century. His published theories on design were based on the importance of an object’s functionality and the simplicity of botanical forms.
This design of cranes on this tile was one of those developed at Minton by Christopher Dresser, and matches the crane pattern on a pair of Minton vases attributed to Dresser in Cooper-Hewitt’s collection. The addition of this tile to our group of Dresser objects would nearly complete our coverage of this artist’s work.

It is credited Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment.

  • Toast Rack Toast Rack
  • silver plated, metal.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Margery and Edgar Masinter and from General....
  • 2002-22-1
This object has not been digitized yet.

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

  • Vase (Japan)
  • enamel on copper, nickel.
  • Gift of Ruth Friedman in memory of Harry G. Friedman.
  • 1966-3-3
  • Platter
  • glazed earthenware.
  • Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Newlin.
  • 2006-28-1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 15.2 x 15.4 x 1.3 cm (6 x 6 1/16 x 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Japanese Cranes Over Waves Tile; Designed by Christopher Dresser (Scottish, 1834 – 1904); Manufactured by Minton, Hollins & Co.; England; glazed earthenware; H x W x D: 15.2 x 15.4 x 1.3 cm (6 x 6 1/16 x 1/2 in.); Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment; 1990-159-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Passion for the Exotic: Japonism and Shock of the Old: Christopher Dresser.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18634329/ |title=Japanese Cranes Over Waves Tile |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=14 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>