7226.4

Blue and white Delft tile showing Mary Magdalene washing Jesus' feet and drying them with her hair. Although the description ‘Delftware’ is often used, tiles were made in many towns including London, Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow - and only later in Delft itself. Delftware tiles are made from a tin glazed earthenware pottery covered by a lead glaze; its opaque white colour is obtained by adding tin oxide. Dutch potters decorated them with blue and white motifs, copying Chinese designs for a while. Most popular were local landscapes, harbours with boats, flowers, religious scenes and motifs like children’s games. Religious scenes were mainly in blue and white, or purple and white. Tiles were frequently used for surrounding fireplaces and often used as a display of affluence. Despite a ban on imported Delftware, William III imported Dutch tiles to furbish the queen’s closet at Hampton Court Palace. Delft tiles can be seen in several old buildings in Topsham such as Conway House. A fragment of an English made tile dating around 1730 was found in the museum garden during a formal excavation. 128x128mm

7226.4

128 x 128

tile
biblical

Holland
Dutch
Delft

Artefact