RARE Medieval FLOOR TILE with impressed 'chain link' design, circa 1350

Description

A rare medieval floor tile with a pinkish-red terracotta body, the surface impressed with a chain link design between simple line borders; possibly English, circa 1350.
This rare tile is offered in
excellent condition
(see the sequence of photos provided). The design was made using a wooden block with the design cut in bas- relief. The block was then pressed onto the surface of the leather-hard tile to produce the deign in counter-relief. The resulting pattern was then filled with white ball clay and the surface of the tile scraped to remove any traces of ball clay on the wider surface of the tile and coated with a transparent lead glaze (this has worn away over hundreds of years of use) to protect the surface from wear. It was then fired in a simple turf-covered kiln to produce this beautiful tile.
The tile is approximately 4 1/4 inches square and 1 inch thick. This tile is in remarkably good condition (see all 10 photos). Tiles of this date in such good condition are very rare indeed and we recommend this example to anyone interested in collecting early tiles or on the lookout for an unusual decorative item.
Best of luck with your bid!