Dish
Unknown Artist
early 18th century
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Diameter: 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Dutch, Delft
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Catharine Van Vliet De Witt Sterry, 1908
Accession Number
08.107.2
Art Historical Context
This elegant dish, crafted in early 18th-century Delft, Netherlands, exemplifies the height of Dutch tin-glazed earthenware production, known as Delftware. Measuring 12¼ inches in diameter, it was designed for both practical serving and ornamental display in affluent European households. The tin-glazing technique—where a layer of tin oxide was applied to earthenware before firing—created a smooth, white surface ideal for vibrant painted decorations, allowing artisans to mimic the luxury of Chinese porcelain at a more accessible price. Delftware flourished in Delft from the 17th century onward...