Maiolica Collection

Tile with a grotesque female figure

Abaquesne of Rouen Masséot

Château d’Ecouen; Rouen, c. 1550

2.6cm (thickness); 11.3cm (height); 11.2cm (width)

earthenware, tin-glazed and painted

From the second Abqaquese pavement for the Château of Ecouen, ordered in 1549/50 and delivered in 1551.

Part of a pavement made for the east wing of the Château d’Ecouen, ordered by Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France (compare WA1899.CDEF.C508), in 1549 and delivered in 1551.

Masseot Abaquesne of Rouen specialized in ambitious tin-glazed tile panels and pharmacy jars. The technique is of Italian origin, but no direct link between Abaquesne and Italy has been established; he may have modelled his business on the successful operation of Guido di Savino in Antwerp.

Presented by Martin Foley, 2010.  WA2010.140