Pitcher
Unknown Artist
14th century
Medium
Earthenware, tin-glaze (Majolica)
Dimensions
Overall: 5 3/16 x 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (13.1 x 13.9 x 10.8 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Wilhelm Bode, 1911
Accession Number
11.163.5
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet elegant 14th-century pitcher, crafted from earthenware coated in tin-glaze (known as Majolica), exemplifies the artistry of medieval ceramics. Standing just over 5 inches tall, compact form—measuring 5 3/16 x 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches—suggests it was designed for everyday use, perhaps serving wine or water in a household setting. The tin-glaze technique, a hallmark of Italian pottery during this period, created a smooth, opaque white surface ideal for vibrant painted decorations, transforming humble clay into durable, colorful vessels. In late medieval Italy, Majolica productio...