This cockerel tile is one of a group of bird designs — including Cock, Duck and Goose — probably designed by Philip Webb in the 1860s for Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. The series also included Heron, Hen and Chick, and Magpie. The tiles are hand-painted in blue overglaze on 6-inch tiles.
The bird designs were also adapted for stained-glass quarries in the first two houses designed by Philip Webb: Red House, Bexleyheath (1859–60), built for William Morris, and Sandroyd, Surrey (1860–61).
The tiles formerly belonged to Lucy Orrinsmith (née Faulkner) and were almost certainly painted by her.
