Plate
This plate is emblazoned with the coat of arms of the Morelli family of Florence, and must have belonged to a large table service. This small plate, because of its size, was probably used primarily for eating. Examples of matching services have only rarely survived, although documents indicate great numbers were made for both the domestic and the export markets. In a receipt dated 1454, the widow of Don Pedro Buyl, overlord of the Manises lusterware factories, received payment of 6000 gueldos (roughly equivalent to $360,000 in 2016) as a tithe on the potters’ goods destined for the export market. These wares leaving Grao, the port of Valencia, destined for Mediterranean markets, generally were transported by ships of Mallorcan registry. For this reason, lusterware, and later all glazed earthenware, became known as majolica. The ivy pattern rendered completely in copper luster became an increasingly popular decorative motif toward the end of the century as potters more literally imitated the surface sheen of precious metalwork.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Date: 1430–1470
- Geography: Made in probably Manises, Valencia, Spain
- Culture: Spanish
- Medium: Tin-glazed earthenware
- Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/4 x 11 in. (3.2 x 27.9 cm)
Diameter of Foot: 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm) - Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1956
- Object Number: 56.171.119
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Spanish
1427–38
Spanish
1425–50
Spanish
second half 15th century
Spanish
ca. 1430
Spanish
1470–1490
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.