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
Rights
Public Domain
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...