Tile
Unknown Artist
ca. 1620–40
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Overall (tile): 5 × 5 in. (12.7 × 12.7 cm); Overall (whole panel): 31 3/4 × 21 1/2 in. (80.6 × 54.6 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
08.196.194
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Dutch tile panel, dating to around 1620–40, exemplifies the artistry of the Netherlands' Golden Age, when tin-glazed earthenwareknown as Delftware—became a staple of domestic decoration. Crafted from earthenware coated with a tin-opaque glaze, these 5-inch square tiles (assembled here into a 31¾ × 21½-inch panel) feature vibrant animal motifs, a popular theme that brought lively scenes of fauna into everyday homes. The technique allowed for bold colors and intricate designs fired at low temperatures, making them durable yet affordable for the rising middle class. Produced in wo...