Medieval; Fourteenth Century ‘Jester’ Floor Tile.

Medieval; Fourteenth Century ‘Jester’ Floor Tile.

This early inlaid floor tile is of some rarity. It depicts a rather louche fool, with flamboyant headdress, relieving himself into a jug - The jug that no doubt contained the wine he has just enjoyed drinking.

Secular subjects of this nature capture the bawdiness of life in the Middle Ages, and are rare in the art of the tile maker, where generally speaking, ecclesiastical and heraldic designs prevail.

Interestingly, the tile design is catalogued in the Duke of Rutlands collection, now in the British Museum. Here the subject is appropriately classified as ‘grotesque’.

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Measures; 10cm x 10cm x 2.5cm

Condition; Very good.

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