C15th Barnstaple encaustic tiles laid in the chancel of Launcells Church, Cornwall, England, UK, in 1932. Patterns include raised fleur de lys.
C15th encaustic tiles laid in the chancel of Launcells Church, Cornwall, England, UK, in 1932. Patterns include raised figures of flowers; fleur de lys (a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary), griffins, lions & pelicans (a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young with blood is a symbol of piety & of Christ's sacrifice on the cross). The moulded tiles, made at Barnstaple, North Devon, retain their original glaze. They were found in vaults under the floor when the church flooring was restored in 1932. Encaustic tiles are made by impressing the surface of an unfired tile with a carved wooden block, then filling the depressions with white liquid clay (slip). This produces a white design in the red clay which is then fired (at over 1000 degrees Celsius) to a buff brown.
Size: 2644px × 3723px
Location: St Swithin's Church, Launcells, Stratton, Bude, Cornwall, England, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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