Round dish with fighting lizard and snake

1865–87

Not on view

Portugese Palissy ware differs considerably from French examples, thanks to the work of Manuel Cipriano Gomes Mafra. Originally working as a waiter, Mafra moved to the town of Caldas da Rainha to work at the famed factory of Maria dos Cacos, which he soon took over. At Caldas, Mafra pioneered a style of Palissy ware that featured a distinctive usage of moss as a decorative bed for fish, lizards, and insects, a style quickly adopted by other Portuguese manufacturers of Palissy ware.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Round dish with fighting lizard and snake
Maker: Manuel Mafra (Portuguese, Caldas de Rainha, Portugal, 1830–1905)
Date: 1865–87
Culture: Portugal, Caldas de Rainha
Medium: Glazed earthenware
Dimensions: confirmed, irregular diameter: 3 1/2 × 15 11/16 × 15 9/16 in. (8.9 × 39.8 × 39.5 cm)
Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
Credit Line: Gift of Wallis Katz, in memory of Marshall Katz, and in celebration of the Museum's 150th anniversary, 2020
Object Number: 2020.86.20
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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