No. 102757655

No longer available
 Tile - 17th century - Transylvanian
Bidding closed
2 weeks ago

Tile - 17th century - Transylvanian

These square tiles with geometric divisions are very characteristic of Transylvania, specifically the Saxon area. They represent a transition from late Gothic styles into the Renaissance. ​Material: The reddish-orange clay is typical of local alluvial clay found throughout the Romanian foothills. ​Dating: Based on the simplicity of the relief and the geometric layout, this likely dates to the late 17th or early 18th century. Geometric-floral hybrid motifs as - ​X Frame (St. Andrew’s Cross): The face is divided by a raised "X," creating four triangular compartments. This was a very popular structural design in the 16th and 17th centuries because it allowed for symmetrical patterns. ​- The "Tree of Life" / Stylized Lilies: In each of the four triangles, there is a stylized plant or flower (likely a lily or a simplified "Tree of Life"). This is a classic "all-over" pattern meant to look good when multiple tiles were placed side-by-side. - ​Toothed Border: It shares the same saw-tooth or "wolf-tooth" (colți de lup) border as the previous tile, suggesting they might be from the same region or even the same workshop. 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). ​Finger Marks: Those circular dips are likely finger-press marks from the potter who pushed the wet clay into the mold. ​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.

No. 102757655

No longer available
 Tile - 17th century - Transylvanian

Tile - 17th century - Transylvanian

These square tiles with geometric divisions are very characteristic of Transylvania, specifically the Saxon area. They represent a transition from late Gothic styles into the Renaissance.
​Material: The reddish-orange clay is typical of local alluvial clay found throughout the Romanian foothills.
​Dating: Based on the simplicity of the relief and the geometric layout, this likely dates to the late 17th or early 18th century.
Geometric-floral hybrid motifs as
- ​X Frame (St. Andrew’s Cross): The face is divided by a raised "X," creating four triangular compartments. This was a very popular structural design in the 16th and 17th centuries because it allowed for symmetrical patterns.
​- The "Tree of Life" / Stylized Lilies: In each of the four triangles, there is a stylized plant or flower (likely a lily or a simplified "Tree of Life"). This is a classic "all-over" pattern meant to look good when multiple tiles were placed side-by-side.
- ​Toothed Border: It shares the same saw-tooth or "wolf-tooth" (colți de lup) border as the previous tile, suggesting they might be from the same region or even the same workshop.
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).
​Finger Marks: Those circular dips are likely finger-press marks from the potter who pushed the wet clay into the mold.
​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.

Bidding closed
Dési van Rhee
Expert
Estimate  € 180 - € 220

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