Albarello
1375-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The technique of lustre decoration on ceramics was first developed in Iraq in the 9th century. Potters used the lustre technique to make their wares shine like gold.
First a glazed vessel or tile with little or no decoration was made in the normal way. When the piece had cooled, a design was painted over the glaze in metallic compounds. The pot or tile was then fired again, this time with a restricted supply of oxygen. In these conditions, the metallic compounds broke down, and a thin deposit of copper or silver was left on the surface of the glaze. When polished, this surface layer reflected the light.
The lustre technique was introduced to Spain from Egypt as early as the 12th century. In the 13th century, Muslim-ruled Málaga was the main centre of production, but in the 14th century, Christian-ruled Valencia took over. Potters there continued to use Islamic designs, such as the bands resembling Arabic calligraphy on this jar.
First a glazed vessel or tile with little or no decoration was made in the normal way. When the piece had cooled, a design was painted over the glaze in metallic compounds. The pot or tile was then fired again, this time with a restricted supply of oxygen. In these conditions, the metallic compounds broke down, and a thin deposit of copper or silver was left on the surface of the glaze. When polished, this surface layer reflected the light.
The lustre technique was introduced to Spain from Egypt as early as the 12th century. In the 13th century, Muslim-ruled Málaga was the main centre of production, but in the 14th century, Christian-ruled Valencia took over. Potters there continued to use Islamic designs, such as the bands resembling Arabic calligraphy on this jar.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware with overglaze lustre decoration |
| Brief description | Albarello (drug-jar) with brown lustre and dark blue decoration including pseudo-Kufic writing, Spain (probably Valencia), 1375-1400. |
| Physical description | Tall albarello with a flat foot, whitish tin-glaze and painting in golden-brown lustre and dark blue. The painted decoration includes arched panels enclosing tree and leaf motifs, stars within circles, and a broad band of pseudo-Kufic writing. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | Jameel Gallery
Drug Jar
Spain, probably Valencia
1375-1400
The lustre technique was introduced to Spain from Egypt as early as the 12th century. In the 13th century, Muslim-ruled Málaga was the main centre of production, but in the 14th century, Christian-ruled Valencia took over. Potters there continued to use Islamic designs, such as the bands resembling Arabic calligraphy on this jar.
Earthenware with colour in and lustre over the opaque glaze
Museum no. C.123-1931
Bequest of Sir Otto Beit, Bt, KCMG(Jameel Gallery) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Sir Otto Beit, Bt KCMG |
| Production | Hispano-Moresque |
| Summary | The technique of lustre decoration on ceramics was first developed in Iraq in the 9th century. Potters used the lustre technique to make their wares shine like gold. First a glazed vessel or tile with little or no decoration was made in the normal way. When the piece had cooled, a design was painted over the glaze in metallic compounds. The pot or tile was then fired again, this time with a restricted supply of oxygen. In these conditions, the metallic compounds broke down, and a thin deposit of copper or silver was left on the surface of the glaze. When polished, this surface layer reflected the light. The lustre technique was introduced to Spain from Egypt as early as the 12th century. In the 13th century, Muslim-ruled Málaga was the main centre of production, but in the 14th century, Christian-ruled Valencia took over. Potters there continued to use Islamic designs, such as the bands resembling Arabic calligraphy on this jar. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.123-1931 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 4, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
