Medieval; Ridge Tile Terminus or finial; Early Fourteenth Century, England.

Medieval; Ridge Tile Terminus or finial; Early Fourteenth Century, England.

Glazed earthenware crested ridge tiles were a characterful feature of thirteenth and fourteenth century roofscapes. Purely decorative, they would have appeared predominantly in wealthier parts of English cities.

Surviving examples such as this one, wonderfully modelled as a Kings head, would have adorned a high status building while delighting passers by as they looked up.

Archaeological records of these now enigmatic architectural features are scarce; however, we can draw on stylistic parallels with the large face jugs of the period; notably the Nottingham ‘Knights jug’.

Significant comparable ridge tiles include; a Kings Head and Knights Head at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge, and a compelling discovery in recent years at Droitwich, Worcestershire, of a horse and rider finial - the rider also modelled as a crowned monarch.

Provenance;

Published; ‘Secular Art of the Middle Ages’ Exhibition Catalogue; Sam Fogg Gallery.

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Measures; 17cm including stand.

Condition; Broken from larger ridge tile structure.

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