Hispano-Moresque Lustre Dish, 17th Century

Ref: W758

£ 550

Price is subject to availability and market conditions.

Hispano-Moresque lustre dish, 17th century, decorated to the centre with a large bird in flight with its wings outstretched, against a stippled ground with scrolling vines, enclosed within concentric rings and a wider band of lustre to the rim, the reverse with a series of elliptical scrolls.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 27.5cm. (10 7/8in.)

Condition:

Broken in 6 pieces and repaired with rivets with large chip to rim crudely repaired (see image)

Notes:

Designs incorporating animals and plants were popular choices for the Moorish potters in Spain who made Hispano-Moresque ware. Although early designs are more overtly Islamic, and can include inscriptions in Arabic and symbols such as the tree of life, the huge popularity of these wares and their increased production for wider consumption across Europe led to a fusion of Islamic and European design elements. The beautiful lustre effect is achieved by applying a tin glaze over a design traced in cobalt blue before the first firing, then brushing on a metallic pigment on top of the tin glaze before a second firing. This technique was perfected by Islamic potters; in part because the use of vessels made from precious metals at mealtimes was prohibited by the Hadiths (the record of the saying of the Prophet Muhammad).