Dutch Tiles

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Netherlands saw a rise of a new type of citizens, the affluent middle class who had accumulated their wealth benefitting from the Age of Discovery. No longer were decorative tiles dedicated to the place of worship, and people started incorporating tiles modestly in their daily lives, as can be observed in Vermeer's paintings, depicting skirting tiles in a home setting. Among the most popular were the Delftware blue and white ceramic tiles, inspired by Chinese porcelain.

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  Tile with Cobalt-Blue

  Design of Children Playing Games
  (Corner Motif: Spider's Head)
  17th -18th Century
  131 × 131 × 7 (mm)

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  Tile with Cobalt-Blue

  Design of Landscape
  (Corner Motif: Spider's-Head)
  17th Century
  130 × 130 × 9 (mm)

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  Tile with Cobalt-Blue

  Design of Rabbit
  (Corner Motif: Ox-Head)
  17th Century
  132 × 131 × 9 (mm)