Not currently on display at the V&A

Tile Set

ca. 1540-1560 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Netherlands (made)

Vast quantities of plain-coloured earthenware floor tiles were exported from the Low Countries to England and Scotland between the late-14th and the mid-16th centuries. Importation of decorated tiles was more unusual. However, these mid-16th century examples, decorated with moralising insciptions, provide an excellent example.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
SCRAN
Object type
Tile set
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Tile
  • Tile
  • Tile
  • Tile
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, with inlaid decoration
Earthenware
Brief description
One of four tiles, stamped with a rosette pattern and circles and an Flemish inscription, inlaid with white slip. Originally from Edmonton Church. Netherlands, about 1540 to 1560
Physical description
One of four tiles, stamped with a rosette pattern and circles and an Flemish inscription, inlaid with white slip. Originally from Edmonton Church. Netherlands, about 1540 to 1560
Dimensions
  • Each tile width: 14.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Die tyt is cort, die doot is snel, wacht u va sonde, soe doedi wel', incomplete inscription
    Translation
    Time is short, death is swift, beware of sin, so do good
  • Transliteration
    .
Object history
From the parish church of Edmonton, London.
Summary
Vast quantities of plain-coloured earthenware floor tiles were exported from the Low Countries to England and Scotland between the late-14th and the mid-16th centuries. Importation of decorated tiles was more unusual. However, these mid-16th century examples, decorated with moralising insciptions, provide an excellent example.
Bibliographic reference
Graves, Alun. Tiles and Tilework of Europe. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, fig 1.26, p24-5.
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
782A to C-1864

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Record createdDecember 8, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86870/tile-set-unknown/
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