The Adoration of the Shepherds
16th century
Medium
Lead-glazed earthenware (Hafnerware)
Dimensions
25 5/8 × 21 1/2 in. (65.1 × 54.6 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Pottery
Culture
Austrian, Salzburg
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of R. Thornton Wilson, in memory of Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-1968), Senator from New York, 1968
Accession Number
68.81.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art,The Adoration of thes* is a vibrant 16th-century lead-glazed earthenware plaque crafted by Hans Resch, master potter from Salzburg, Austria. Measuring about 25 5/8 × 21 1/2 inches, this Hafnerware piece—named after the German word for stove makers—exemplifies the region's renowned tradition of colorful, molded terracotta reliefs. These works were often used to decorate hearths, altars, or walls, blending functionality with devotional art during the Renaissance era. The scene captures the biblica...