Floral arabesque design

There were regular shipments of 'white paving tiles' from the Low Countries into London by the end of the 1400s, and a single cargo in 1480 from the ship Mary Knyght of Middelburg, included 2,000 ordinary paving tiles and 400 white paving tiles valued at 46 shillings and 8 pence. The white, or tin-glazed earthenware, tiles were especially prized and this octagonal tile with cobalt, ochre and copper-oxide floral decoration was probably imported from Antwerp for a wealthy customer. Tiles of similar shape and design were commissioned by the Abbey of Herckenrode (Belgium) in 1532.