Africa (part of a set)

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, *Africa* is a captivating 19th-century Italian earthenware plaque, measuring 9 3/8 × 12 5/16 inches. Produced in the vibrant tradition of Italian ceramics—likely at a center like Castelli—this piece draws on designs attributed to Baroque masters Charles Le Brun and Frederick de Wit. As part of a larger set, it exemplifies the era's fascination with exoticism, blending meticulous modeling with colorful glazes typical of earthenware pottery. The scene bursts with life: children, men, and majestic elephants evoke...