Tile
Category
Archaeological material
Date
1500 - 1700
Materials
Glazed ceramic tile
Place of origin
Europe
Order this imageCollection
Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire
NT 579495
Summary
Corner fragment of a green-glazed stove tile with moulded fleur-de-lys with tulip and bead border.
Full description
This is one of several imported stove tile fragments found during the excavation of Tattershall Castle’s moats and indicates the former presence of at least one ornamental stove within the castle site. Fleur-le-lys and organic decorative elements are common on the Tattershall stove tile fragments, some of which have burnt glaze presumably from their proximity to heat. Post-medieval stoves could be large, elaborate structures and these tiles are glazed in green, yellow and brown. The stove tiles, found alongside Flemish floor tiles, may be contemporary with the standing castle structure and reflect the popularity of adopting continental styles of home interior decoration at this time. This artefact was recovered during an excavation of the castle moat between 1912 and 1914 by William Weir at the bequest of Lord Curzon as part of the site’s restoration works. Around 1,300 objects were found during this excavation and largely date to the medieval and post-medieval periods when the castle was occupied. The collection comprises pottery, ceramic building material, plaster, worked stone, vessel and window glass, metal work and clay pipe.
