Victorian Tile Randolph Caldecote Sing a Song of Sixpence Rare

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A rare Victorian Tile designed by Randolph Caldecott. A famous Victorian illustrator some scenes were used for ceramics and this image is a vignette from 'Sing a song of Sixpence'. Dating to around 1885, it has been in my collection for over 20 years. William Caldecott died in 1886. Dimensions are 6 inches square. No chips cracks or restoration, will be posted in the frame to help keep rigid. 2 other rare tiles by Lewis Forman Day currently listed. Sing a Song for Sixpence (1880) Published.When Randolph Caldecott produced his book, the Nursery Rhyme on which it was based seemed to be just a children's song. But, only 60 years previously, when the rhyme about "four and twenty black birds" first appeared, it was full of political significance, based on the "Cato Street Conspiracy" (1820) in which 24 men (one of whom was black) plotted to murder the entire Cabinet at dinner one night. When they were discovered, many of them began to tell about the others in the hope of saving their own lives - hence "the birds began to sing". Acts of Parliament had just been passed to restrict public meetings and to take action against any literature considered "seditious", so there was an upsurge in innocent-seeming poems (or actions) with hidden meanings. Any questions or requests for further pictures happily answered. I expertly wrap and read more

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