The Arms of Bacon and Whaplode
Tile
1564-1568 (made)
1564-1568 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Tin-glazed earthenware paving tiles were made in Antwerp in the Low Countries for a luxury market from the eary 16th century. Tiles of this type were exported to England for use in prestigious buildings. Later in the16th century, religious persecution resulted in the departure from Antwerp of many potters, including Jacob Janssen and Jaspar Andries, who arrived in Norwich in 1567. They are believed to have produced the first tin-glazed earthenware in England, including paving tiles and pharmacy jars.
People
The initials that appear on the tile are those of Sir Nicholas Bacon (1509-1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603). Although the tile includes the arms of the Whaplode family, Sir Nicholas had no right to these, since they had married into a different branch of the Bacon family. The V&A's tile is one of several identical tiles that are said to have come from Gorhambury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire, the house built by Sir Nicholas between 1563 and 1568. The Gorhambury tiles are of a type generally attributed to The Netherlands, but the presence in Norwich of the Antwerp potters Janssen and Andries at the very time that the floors were being laid at Gorhambury suggests that they may have been responsible.
Tin-glazed earthenware paving tiles were made in Antwerp in the Low Countries for a luxury market from the eary 16th century. Tiles of this type were exported to England for use in prestigious buildings. Later in the16th century, religious persecution resulted in the departure from Antwerp of many potters, including Jacob Janssen and Jaspar Andries, who arrived in Norwich in 1567. They are believed to have produced the first tin-glazed earthenware in England, including paving tiles and pharmacy jars.
People
The initials that appear on the tile are those of Sir Nicholas Bacon (1509-1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603). Although the tile includes the arms of the Whaplode family, Sir Nicholas had no right to these, since they had married into a different branch of the Bacon family. The V&A's tile is one of several identical tiles that are said to have come from Gorhambury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire, the house built by Sir Nicholas between 1563 and 1568. The Gorhambury tiles are of a type generally attributed to The Netherlands, but the presence in Norwich of the Antwerp potters Janssen and Andries at the very time that the floors were being laid at Gorhambury suggests that they may have been responsible.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Arms of Bacon and Whaplode |
| Materials and techniques | Tin-glazed earthenware, painted in blue, green and ochre |
| Brief description | Tin-glazed earthenware tile with heraldic decoration painted in blue, green and ochre. Flemish (Antwerp) or English (Norwich), ca.1564-1568. |
| Physical description | The tile bears the arms of Bacon and Whaplode. The design is painted in blue green and ochre. In the centre is is the crest of a boar ermine charged with a crescent sable for difference. Around it is a circular band bearing the letters 'N' and 'B' (the letters in sgraffito) and the motto 'MEDIOCRIA FIRMA'. In the corners of the tile are four shields. Top right: Whaplode - Barry of six or and azure, a bend gules. Bottom right and top left: Bacon quartering - 2,3, barry of six or and azure, a bend gules. Bottom left: Bacon - gules on a chief argent two mullets sable. Glaze: Dull white. Traces of glaze on the back. Surface: Uneven. Reddish, coarse-grained. Pin-holes near corners of front. Condition: Some loss of glaze at bottom left corner, half way along left, at top edge and an area at the boar's front legs. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This is one of three or possibly four identical tiles, which are said to have come from Gorhambury, near St Albans, The house built by Sir Nicholas Bacon (1509-1579) between 1563 and 1568. One of the tiles is still at Gorhambury ( a second is also said to be there). It was ploughed up in the field beside the old house in the 1950s. Another is in the Birmingham City Museum (63'41; Ray Tiles No 1). With it is a facsimile of the tile painted on wood and apparently of the same date, which may have served as a pattern when the tile was made. Purchased, 1863. Made for the house at Gorhambury, Hertfordshire of Sir Nicholas Bacon (born in Chiselhurst, Kent, 1509, died in London, 1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to Elizabeth I. Possibly made by Jasper Andries and Jacob Jansen of Antwerp, when living and working in Norwich. |
| Production | The tile is of a general type attributed to the Netherlands, but the presence of two potters from Antwerp (Jasper Andries and and Jacob Jansen) living and working in Norwich at the time when it was made suggests that they may have been responsible. |
| Summary | Object Type Tin-glazed earthenware paving tiles were made in Antwerp in the Low Countries for a luxury market from the eary 16th century. Tiles of this type were exported to England for use in prestigious buildings. Later in the16th century, religious persecution resulted in the departure from Antwerp of many potters, including Jacob Janssen and Jaspar Andries, who arrived in Norwich in 1567. They are believed to have produced the first tin-glazed earthenware in England, including paving tiles and pharmacy jars. People The initials that appear on the tile are those of Sir Nicholas Bacon (1509-1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603). Although the tile includes the arms of the Whaplode family, Sir Nicholas had no right to these, since they had married into a different branch of the Bacon family. The V&A's tile is one of several identical tiles that are said to have come from Gorhambury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire, the house built by Sir Nicholas between 1563 and 1568. The Gorhambury tiles are of a type generally attributed to The Netherlands, but the presence in Norwich of the Antwerp potters Janssen and Andries at the very time that the floors were being laid at Gorhambury suggests that they may have been responsible. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | N.8 - <U>Delftware</U> (1997) cat. no. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4603-1863 |
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| Record created | June 23, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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