Two-Colored Tile with arms of England
Unknown Artist
14th or 15th century
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...