Two-Colored Tile with arms of England

Unknown Artist

14th or 15th century

Two-Colored Tile with arms of England by Unknown Artist

Medium

Fired earthenware, with slip decoration and lead glaze

Dimensions

Overall: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (13.3 x 13.3 cm)

Classification

Ceramics-Tiles

Culture

British

Department

The Cloisters

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Cloisters Collection, 1983

Accession Number

1983.236.6

Art Historical Context

This charming two-colored tile, featuring the arms of England,ails from 14th- or 15th-century Britain, a time when heraldry blossomed as a visual language of power and identity. Crafted by an unknown artisan, it showcases the royal emblem—likely the iconic three lions—boldly rendered in a vivid contrast of hues, evoking the grandeur of medieval courts, churches, and noble halls. Measuring a modest 5¼ x 5¼ inches, such tiles were often mass-produced for flooring or wall panels, transforming everyday spaces into statements of allegiance and prestige. The tile's medium—fired earthenware with sli...

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