Tile
Unknown Artist
1640–60
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Overall (tile): 5 1/8 × 5 1/8 × 1/2 in. (13 × 13 × 1.3 cm); Overall (whole panel): 26 1/4 × 21 in. (66.7 × 53.3 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
08.196.133
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tin-glazed earthenware tile, created by an unknown Dutch artist between 1640 and 1660, exemplifies the artistry of the Dutch Golden Age. Measuring 5⅛ × 5⅛ inches as a single square, it forms part of a larger panel (26¼ × 21 inches) adorned with delicate floral motifs—a popular theme in Dutch decorative arts. The tin-glaze technique, where a tin-oxide coating creates a brilliant white surface ideal for vibrant painted designs, was perfected in Delft workshops, making these tiles both affordable and luxurious for middle-class homes. During the 17th century, the Netherlands flouri...