Tile Floor

Since the square tiles contain a striped shield typically found in Tuscan coats of arms, this Spanish floor may have been made for an Italian patron. The tiles around the shields are inscribed with spiritual admonitions-- speratens(have hope) and ne oblyer(do not forget)--in what appears to be an old Catalan or French dialect. Documents record that Spanish potters produced a variety of ceramics for export to Italy in the 1400s. The blue foliage around the outside of these tiles probably influenced the leaf ornament of early Tuscan maiolica.