Stove Tile
About this object
Cultural context
functional; decorative
Iconographic meaning
An allegory of fortitude or courage, one of the four virtues required for a virtuous life, the others being prudence, justice, and abundance. The young woman is shown with a broken pillar, an allusion to a story about the biblical figure Samson who destroyed the temple of Dagon (the god of his enemies, the Philistines) by pushing apart two main support pillars. Fortitude is sometimes also depicted with a lion representing grandeur and courage.
Specific techniques
lead-glazed
Physical description
Rectangular earthenware tile with relief scene inside green frame. A standing woman, in a brown and yellow dress, yellow and green headdress, with left arm resting on a broken pillar, right arm holding head of pillar. Yellow background.
Date Made
Austrian Hapsburg (1500-1600)
Date Acquired
2 Dec 1988
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
The Koerner European Ceramics CollectionMore...
Measurements
36 x 22 x 5 cm
Object Number
Cg111