Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas
ca. 1520–25
Medium
Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Dimensions
Diam. 10 13/16 in. (27.5 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1019
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite armorial plate, crafted by the renowned maiolica artist Nicola da Urbino around1520–25, hails from the vibrant workshops of Renaissance Urbino, Italy—a hub of ceramic innovation. Measuring nearly 11 inches in diameter, this tin-glazed earthenwaretondino* (a shallow dish) showcases Nicola's mastery in blending utility with opulent decoration. Maiolica's signature technique involved firing earthenware coated in opaque white tin glaze, then applying brilliant mineral colors over it for a second firing, yielding jewel-like hues and fine details that made these pieces coveted across ...