Dish
Unknown Artist
1480–1500
Medium
Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware)
Dimensions
Overall (confirmed): 3 × 15 1/4 in. (7.6 × 38.7 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Italian, Deruta
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.85.17
Art Historical Context
This exquisite maiolica dish, crafted in Deruta, Italy, between 1480 and 1500, the Renaissance mastery of ceramic art. Measuring a generous 3 × 15¼ inches (7.6 × 38.7 cm), it likely served as a decorative charger or serving platter in affluent households, showcasing the vibrant colors and intricate designs typical of Italian workshops. Deruta, in Umbria, emerged as a leading center for maiolica production during this era, rivaling urban hubs like Florence and Venice. Maiolica, or tin-glazed earthenware revolutionized pottery with its opaque white glaze that provided a smooth canvas for bold m...