Dish thumbnail 1
Dish thumbnail 2
+4
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Dish

1533 (made)
Artist/Maker
Avelli, Francesco Xanto (maker)
Place of origin
Urbino (made)

In 16th century Italy wealthy aristocratic patrons could order large maiolica services decorated with paintings by talented artists. They were painted in the 'istoriato' style, with scenes from history. Such services were probably used on grand occasions. They were also intended for display. Today individual pieces are to be found in collections all over the world.

Object details

Category
Ceramics
Object type
Dish
Materials and techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware
Earthenware
Tin Glaze
Glazing (Coating)
Brief description
Tin-glazed earthenware dish depicting the Marriage of Ninus and Semiramis, and the arms of Gonzaga impaling Paleologo, painted by Francesco Xanto Avelli, Urbino, dated 1533
Physical description
Tin-glazed earthenware dish (maiolica)
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 46.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
'M.D.XXXIII Hor uedi la magnanima Reina chuna treccia riuolta, e, laltra sparsa corse alla, Babilonica ruina. Nel. I. libro di Trogo Pompeio'; 'Fra: Xato. A Rouigo i urbino'
Translation
1533, Now behold the noble queen who ran with one tress bound up, the other loose, at the fall of Babylon. In the 1st book of Trogus Pompeius; Brother Xanto of Rovigo in Urbino
Gallery label
(2008)
DISH
Dated 1533
Francesco Xanto Avelli (1486/7?-1542?)

The scene on this dish derives from an engraved copy of a work by the much-admired Italian artist Raphael. It was executed by the painter and poet Francesco Avelli, whose signature appears on the back. His choice of subject matter shows the Greek general Alexander overcome with love for Roxana, daughter of King Oxyartes.

Italy, Urbino

Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica); originally with a foot

With the arms of Margherita Paleologo of Monferrato, wife of Federigo Gonzaga, 1st Duke of Mantua

Museum no. 1748-1855
Object history
Purchase, formerly Bernal Collection.
Subject depicted
Figures
Association
Paleologo, Margherita
Summary
In 16th century Italy wealthy aristocratic patrons could order large maiolica services decorated with paintings by talented artists. They were painted in the 'istoriato' style, with scenes from history. Such services were probably used on grand occasions. They were also intended for display. Today individual pieces are to be found in collections all over the world.
Bibliographic references
  • Hildyard, Robin. European Ceramics. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 185177260X
  • Mallet, J.V.G, Xanto: Pottery-painter, Poet, Man of the Italian Renaissance (London: The Wallace Collection, 2007), cat. 40
  • V&A Gonzaga Exhibition
Other number
632 - Rackham (1977)
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
1748-1855

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Record createdNovember 22, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O70630/dish-avelli-francesco-xanto/
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