Cup and saucer
18th century
Medium
White-enameled earthenware
Dimensions
Height (cup .63a): 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); Diameter (saucer .3b): 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Italian, Castelli
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1894
Accession Number
94.4.63a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate cup and saucer from 18th-century Castelli, Italy, exemplifies region's renowned tradition in maiolica ceramics. Crafted from white-enameled earthenware tin-glazed technique that provided a smooth, luminous surface ideal for vibrant decorations—the set measures a dainty 1 3/4 inches high for the cup and 4 1/4 inches in diameter for the saucer Produced in Castelli, a hub of Abruzzese pottery-making since the Renaissance, these pieces were prized for their functionality and artistry, blending everyday utility with decorative flair. Castelli workshops flourished in the 18th century,...