RARE - 17th-century Dutch tile with a tailor sewing a garment, circa 1610 –1660

Recently I acquired part of an old collection. It was a diverse assortment of 17th and 18th century artifacts – some military and some personal items and décor. In this collection there were 17th and 18th tiles with various themes. These tiles were a mixture of animals, flowers, merchants, windmills, children, etc.

The one offered here is one of the rarest because of its unique scene. It measures 5 ¼” x 5 ¼” x ½” and shows a tailor from the 1600s sewing a garment. It has beautiful colors of blue and cream. Tailoring is considered one of the world's oldest professions and trades. It originated roughly 100,000 to 500,000 years ago, evolving from the basic human necessity of protecting oneself from cold weather by preparing hides and crafting tailored, fitted clothing.

In the 17^th and18th century, Delft wall tiles were extensively used across Europe and in colonial homes for both decoration and sanitation, primarily in kitchens, dairies, cellars, and fireplace surrounds to protect walls from moisture. These popular manganese tin-glazed tiles were commonly found in wealthy homes, palaces, and, increasingly, in middle-class homes.

After almost 300 years, these tiles became available because many of these buildings and houses deteriorated or were demolished, and some of these tiles survived and were salvaged. As with just about all these tiles, there is the typical wear and chips, however, this one is still in solid condition. These ancient tiles look great by themselves or framed. In “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic, there are some of these tiles shown, and they attribute some of them to Revolutionary War sites (see pictures). They are also on display at the Colonial Williamsburg Museum (see pictues).

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Throughout history, war has been a constant presence, shaping civilizations and societies. From the earliest days of humanity, conflict has persisted in various forms, and based on historical patterns, it is likely to continue in some manner. This ongoing reality has given rise to a deep fascination among historians and collectors who seek to understand the past through the tangible remnants left behind, i.e. uniforms, guns, swords, artillery.

While significant attention is given to weapons and military gear, the everyday items used by soldiers frequently go unnoticed. Simple objects like forks, spoons, cups, dishes, pots, and knives played an essential role in a soldier’s daily life. These items were as precious to the individual as their weapon, serving practical needs and providing comfort amidst the hardships of war. I myself have always appreciated their importance in showing a complete representation in a collection.   Bob