Trent Tile 1900-1940, Trenton New Jersey donated by Naked Mermaid

Framed Trent Tile

Naked Mermaid

2113 Postoffice Street, Galveston

Trent Tile Company was one of several tile manufacturers located in Trenton, New Jersey in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The company, which opened as Harris Manufacturing in 1882 and changed its name to Trent Tile in 1883, produced tiles featuring figures, plant and animal life, and patterns which were used to decorate everything from fireplace mantels to doorframes in private homes and businesses alike. At this time, ceramic tiles grew to be an integral component of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America, and companies like Trent Tile capitalized on customers’ desires to own finely made decorative items. Isaac Broome became the first chief designer and modeler (one who sculpts the original tile from which molds are eventually made) at Trent Tile Company in 1883. Broome was already known as a skilled craftsman when he began working at Trent, having spent several successful years designing tiles at other potteries, including Ott and Brewer, also based in Trenton. Along with producing hundreds of designs for Trent Tile Company, Broome made significant advancements in the tile manufacturing process. He patented several designs for machines that made tile manufacturing faster, cleaner, and more cost effective. 

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