Medieval Stone Cloister mop with paw prints - Medieval brick with paw prints - 31 cm
03
days
09
hours
25
minutes
57
seconds
Current bid
€ 60
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
 | €60 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €20 |
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A 13th- or 14th-century medieval brick, measuring 31 × 15.5 × 7.5 cm, bears an animal paw print, and a corner on the back has been reattached.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
This is a medieval monastery brick (13th/14th century) in which a clear paw print (probably of a dog or a cat) is visible, left in the still-soft clay before the stone was baked.
Dimensions: approx. 31.0 x 15.5 x 7.5 cm
Weight: 4858.77 grams
Condition: (see photos)
On the rear a corner has been glued back; the front is completely intact.
Monastery bricks are large, medieval bricks that were formed by hand from clay. Before being baked in the oven, the formed clay stones had to lie out on a field to dry for a period. During this drying process, all sorts of things spilled over the soft clay. In this case, an animal – presumably a dog or cat – literally left its traces in history. After the brick was baked, the imprint was immortalized in ceramic for centuries.
Introduction: The large-scale production of bricks was reintroduced in the Netherlands around the year 1200, mainly by monastic orders for the construction of churches, monasteries, and castles.
Format rule: In the early period (13th century), monastery bricks were the largest and thickest (often between 30 and 38 cm long and up to 10 to 12 cm high). As time progressed toward the 14th and 15th centuries, the size of the bricks gradually decreased because smaller formats were easier to handle and bake.
Shipping method: This lot will be excellently packed and shipped via DHL or UPS through Catawiki’s Smart Shipping.
This is a medieval monastery brick (13th/14th century) in which a clear paw print (probably of a dog or a cat) is visible, left in the still-soft clay before the stone was baked.
Dimensions: approx. 31.0 x 15.5 x 7.5 cm
Weight: 4858.77 grams
Condition: (see photos)
On the rear a corner has been glued back; the front is completely intact.
Monastery bricks are large, medieval bricks that were formed by hand from clay. Before being baked in the oven, the formed clay stones had to lie out on a field to dry for a period. During this drying process, all sorts of things spilled over the soft clay. In this case, an animal – presumably a dog or cat – literally left its traces in history. After the brick was baked, the imprint was immortalized in ceramic for centuries.
Introduction: The large-scale production of bricks was reintroduced in the Netherlands around the year 1200, mainly by monastic orders for the construction of churches, monasteries, and castles.
Format rule: In the early period (13th century), monastery bricks were the largest and thickest (often between 30 and 38 cm long and up to 10 to 12 cm high). As time progressed toward the 14th and 15th centuries, the size of the bricks gradually decreased because smaller formats were easier to handle and bake.
Shipping method: This lot will be excellently packed and shipped via DHL or UPS through Catawiki’s Smart Shipping.
Details
Culture
Medieval
Century/timeframe
13e / 14e eeuw
Name of object
Cloister mop with paw prints - Medieval brick with paw prints
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
See attached photos / description (condition)
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
31 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1971
Width
15.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
Depth
7.5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
