group of three wonderfully crafted american victorian era majolica glazed ceramic stove tiles fabricated by the beaver falls art tile company, beaver falls, pa. the ghostly portrait renderings are attributed to issac broome. the diminutive circular-shaped medallions were likely used on stove door handles. surface crazing event. the beaver falls art tile company, limited of beaver falls, pa., was organized in 1886 by mr. f. w. walker, who was secretary, treasurer, and manager. the works started with the manufacture of plain enamels, and a few months later added embossed and intaglio tiles, as well as tiles for stove decorations, of which the company later made a specialty. the discovery of natural gas and the advantages to be obtained by its use as a fuel for the burning of all pottery wares was the inducement for mr. walker, who had been very much interested in the investigation of tiles and their manufacture, to organize the company, and his ability as a chemist soon enabled him to place the works in a position to manufacture a line of glazes of soft, rich tones, and their remarkable freedom from crazing soon won for the factory a high reputation in the trade. their delicate tints of pale blue and greenish and purplish grays were particularly beautiful examples of transparent colored glazing. professor isaac broome, a sculptor of rare artistic ability, became connected with the factory in 1890. among his most highly admired pieces is a six-inch tile with a classic female figure (sappho) in relief, leaning on a harp. the factory also made specialty of artistic tile designs suitable for solid wall decorations, in all the leading styles, for libraries, dining-rooms, and bath-rooms. priced for the lot of three. measure 2 inches in diameter.