Tile
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
5 × 5 in. (12.7 × 12.7 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Dutch
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of W. R. Valentiner, 1908
Accession Number
08.196.118
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming 18th-century Dutch, crafted from tin-glazed earthen, exemplifies the everyday artistry of the Delft pottery tradition. Measuring a modest 5 × 5 inches, it likely depicts figures of men and women in lively scene, a common motif in these small-scale ceramics produced for home decoration. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1908 by W.R. Valentiner, it resides in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, offering a glimpse into domestic life during the Dutch Golden Age's lingering influence. Tin-glazing, a technique where a tin oxide layer creates a brilliant whit...