Basin thumbnail 1
Basin thumbnail 2
+5
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Medieval & Renaissance, Room 63, The Edwin and Susan Davies Gallery

Basin

1470-1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Spanish lustered pottery was by far the most sophisticated kind of ceramics produced in 15th-century Europe. It was much in demand by Spanish noble families, but also exported to Italy and other countries.

The arms on this dish are those of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand as King of Sicily, which suggests that the dish was made between 1469, the year of their marriage, and 1479, when Ferdinand came to Aragon.

The function of this large dish was probably as a basin, which would have been used with an accompanying ewer for hand-washing at the table, before and in between courses. The splendid decoration in lustre as well as the two pierced suspension holes suggest that the dish was probably also used for display purposes. The relief decoration imitates pearls and gold wire rolled to resemble beads. This deliberate echo of jewellery ornament makes this golden dish even more like precious metalwork.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware, moulded, with painted lustre decoration
Brief description
Tin-glazed earthenware basin
Physical description
Two pierced holes for suspension through the rim.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 44.5cm
  • Height: 6.7cm
  • Weight: 3.02kg
Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries
Object history
Purchase. Formerly Bernal Collection.
The arms are those of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand as King of Sicily, which suggests that the dish was made between 1469, the year of their marriage, and 1479, when Ferdinand came to Aragon.

Historical significance: Spanish lustered pottery was by far the most sophisticated kind of ceramics produced in 15th-century Europe. It was much in demand by Spanish noble families, but also exported to Italy and other countries.
Historical context
The function of this large dish was probably as a basin, which would have been used with an accompanying ewer for hand-washing at the table, before and in between courses. The splendid decoration in lustre as well as the two pierced suspension holes suggest that the dish was probably also used for display purposes.
Production
The arms are those of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand as King of Sicily, which suggests that the dish was made between 1469, the year of their marriage, and 1479, when Ferdinand came to Aragon.
Summary
Spanish lustered pottery was by far the most sophisticated kind of ceramics produced in 15th-century Europe. It was much in demand by Spanish noble families, but also exported to Italy and other countries.

The arms on this dish are those of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand as King of Sicily, which suggests that the dish was made between 1469, the year of their marriage, and 1479, when Ferdinand came to Aragon.

The function of this large dish was probably as a basin, which would have been used with an accompanying ewer for hand-washing at the table, before and in between courses. The splendid decoration in lustre as well as the two pierced suspension holes suggest that the dish was probably also used for display purposes. The relief decoration imitates pearls and gold wire rolled to resemble beads. This deliberate echo of jewellery ornament makes this golden dish even more like precious metalwork.
Bibliographic reference
A. Ray, Spanish Pottery, V&A 2000, cat. 200
Collection
Accession number
1680-1855

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

Record createdJune 21, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest