16th-century Hexagonal Floor Tile With An Animal Imprint And Green Glaze.

This beautiful antique tile shows signs of prolonged use, as evidenced by the natural wear on its glaze on the side that faced foot traffic. However, it features a truly exceptional detail on its reverse side.

Indeed, one can clearly make out the footprint of an animal—probably a dog or a wolf (identification still to be confirmed)—impressed into the clay during its manufacture. This imprint is the result of a happy accident: after being molded, the tiles were traditionally left to dry on the ground before firing. Occasionally, animals—cats, dogs, birds, or others—would walk across these still-damp tiles, leaving their imprints behind. Firing then immortalized these fleeting moments for several centuries.

This tile thus serves as a remarkable testament to Renaissance manufacturing techniques, but also as a curiosity steeped in emotion. Without realizing it, an animal left its mark on history here nearly five centuries ago.

A unique piece, as interesting to a collector of antique ceramics as it is to a lover of unusual objects or archaeology.

This tile comes from an old building in Crépy-en-Valois (Oise). 

Dimensions: diameter: 11.5 cm.

Price does not include shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A134

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