MEDIEVAL TILE

1250

A decorative Medieval floor tile, slightly damaged on one corner. The base of the tile is also damaged, probably as a result of it being removed from its original setting. The tile is decorated with an arc spanning its central width beneath which is a chevron with curved arms from which protrude seven 'fingers'. Beneath this design is two further cheverons, again with curved arms. Above the central arc is the bottom of another, unclear, design. The two-colour effect of the tile was achieved by etching the design into the clay base then filling these voids with a white clay. Coating the surface of the tile with lead glaze gives these tiles their distinctive yellow and brown colour scheme. The fabric of the tile is a pale pink and contains small white stone inclusions as well as flecks of iron oxide, but is otherwise a fine and well fired clay. The tile would have been one of a large mosaic of tiles, popular in wealthy houses and ecclesiastical buildings during the mid 13th to 14th centuries.