Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History

The Metropolitan Museum of Art


    • Basin (Lebrillo) with Lacework Pattern, ca. 1650
    Mexican (Puebla)
    Tin-glazed earthenware decorated in cobalt strapwork with lace patterning in manganese

    Diam. 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm)
    Mark: "A"
    Inscribed: Soy para labar los puryfycadores y no mas (I am for washing the purificators and nothing else)
    Gift of Mrs. Robert W. de Forest, 1912 (12.3.1)

    This basin is one of the earliest pieces in the Museum's collection. Its shape is Hispano-Muslim in origin but its inscription indicates that it was meant for Christian liturgical use, probably for washing the cloth used to wipe the communion chalice.

    A rare example of "Puebla polychrome," the basin's strong black design was inspired by the Spanish ceramic ornamental style known as encaje de bolillos (bobbin lace).

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  • Basin (Lebrillo) with Lacework Pattern, ca. 1650
    Mexican (Puebla)
    Tin-glazed earthenware decorated in cobalt strapwork with lace patterning in manganese

    Diam. 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm)
    Mark: "A"
    Inscribed: Soy para labar los puryfycadores y no mas (I am for washing the purificators and nothing else)
    Gift of Mrs. Robert W. de Forest, 1912 (12.3.1)