The material culture associated with childbirth in Renaissance Italy was rich and complex. The demographic tensions inherent in a society bound to dynastic success yet afflicted by decades of plague epidemics resulted in a ritual of childbirth that was intended to affirm, comfort and encourage. As the production of maiolica flourished in Italy during the sixteenth century, ceramic wares, painted with birth-related images, became integral parts of the material culture necessary to this ritual. The images on these ceramic vessels were often concealed on the underside of lids or within bowls; to be seen only by the mother and those most intimately connected with the event.
This broth bowl and trencher (a flat plate used to cover a bowl) likely formed part of a more extensive birth set, or scodella da impagliata. As well as commemorating the birth of a child, these bowls were customarily filled with broth and other such nourishing foods, specially prepared for a new mother during her confinement.
Physical description
Broth bowl on high foot, and trencher forming a cover (from an accouchement set). On the trencher, a childbirth scene, with a woman pouring water into a bowl and an old man casting a horoscope. A curtained bed stands in the background. Within the bowl is a medallion enclosing an interior scene with a new born baby and two nurses, one of whom is warming a napkin at the hearth.
Place of Origin
Urbino, Italy (made)
Date
1533-38 (made)
Artist/maker
Nicola da Urbino, born 1475 (probably, painter)
Materials and Techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
Height: 9.8 cm, Diameter: 17.9 cm, Weight: 0.42 kg
Object history note
George Salting bequest.
Historical significance: This broth bowl and trencher (a flat plate used to cover a bowl) likely formed part of a more extensive birth set, or scodella da impagliata. As well as commemorating the birth of a child, these bowls were customarily filled with broth and other such nourishing foods, specially prepared for a new mother during her confinement.
Historical context note
The material culture associated with childbirth in Renaissance Italy was rich and complex. The demographic tensions inherent in a society bound to dynastic success yet afflicted by decades of plague epidemics resulted in a ritual of childbirth that was intended to affirm, comfort and encourage. As the production of maiolica flourished in Italy during the sixteenth century, ceramic wares, painted with birth-related images, became integral parts of the material culture necessary to this ritual. The images on these ceramic vessels were often concealed on the underside of lids or within bowls; to be seen only by the mother and those most intimately connected with the event.
Descriptive line
Trencher and broth bowl from an accouchement set
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Jacqueline Marie Musacchio, The Art and Ritual of Childbirth in Renaissance Italy, Yale, 1999
Ajmar-Wollheim, Marta and Dennis, Flora (eds.). At home in Renaissance Italy. London: V&A Publications, 2006. 420 p., ill. Published to accompany the exhibition held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 5 October 2006 - 7 January 2007. ISBN 1851774882
Exhibition History
Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Maiolica (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/09/2012-06/05/2013)
At Home in Renaissance Italy (Victoria and Albert Museum 05/10/2006-07/01/2007)
Labels and date
BOWL AND TRENCHER
About 1525-30
Possibly by Nicola da Urbino (active 1520-37/8)
These would have been used to bring nourishing broth and other foods to anew mother. The inside of the cup, which would slowly reveal itself to the mother, shows two nurses tending a newborn by. The trencher shows another childbirth scene, with a woman pouring water into a bowl and an old man casting a horoscope.
Italy, Casteldurante
Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)
Museum no. C.2258&A-1910 [2008]
Categories
Ceramics
Collection code
CER
