Tile

Unknown Artist

1610–25

Tile by Unknown Artist

Medium

Tin-glazed earthenware

Dimensions

Overall (tile): 5 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (13.3 × 13.3 cm); Overall (whole panel): 26 3/4 × 21 1/4 in. (67.9 × 54 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

08.196.148

Tags

Flowers

Art Historical Context

This exquisite tin-glazed earthenware tile dating from 1610–25, hails from the Dutch Golden Age, a period of remarkable prosperity and artistic innovation in the Netherlands. Produced during the height of Delft pottery production—often called Delftware—these square tiles (5¼ × 5¼ inches) were typically assembled into larger panels, as seen here in a 26¾ × 21¼-inch. Adorned with vibrant floral motifs, it exemplifies the era's love for naturalistic decoration, bringing the beauty of blooming gardens indoors. The tin-glazing technique, borrowed from Italian maiolica and perfected in Dutch worksh...

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