Tile - 17th century - Transylvanian Stove Tile

Post-medieval terracotta Transylvanian stove tile - Cahla

These tiles were used to build large, ornate ceramic stoves that heated homes, monasteries, and noble residences from the 14th through the 19th centuries.
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​The relief on this tile features several distinct folk and religious motifs:
​The Central Vase/Flowerpot: The central figure looks like a stylized vase or "Life-Giving Spring" (an izvor). In Romanian folk art, this often represents the "Tree of Life" or prosperity.
​Floral Motifs (Tulips and Lilies): You can see large, stylized flowers blooming from the central stem. The tulip was a very popular motif in Transylvanian and Moldavian tiles starting in the 17th century, influenced by Ottoman and Western Baroque styles.
​The Sun/Star: At the very top, there is a prominent sunburst or multi-petaled flower, which was a common protective symbol in rural households.
​Border: The "toothed" or saw-tooth border is a classic characteristic of tiles from the 17th to 18th centuries.
The Back of the Tile (The "Cupa")
​The last image is particularly interesting for historians:
​Soot and Carbon: The dark, blackened interior shows that this tile sat directly against the heat source for decades (or centuries).
​Structure: These tiles weren't flat; they were box-like. The "box" (the cupa) on the back helped create an air pocket that held and radiated heat long after the fire in the stove went out.