SPAIN, probably Seville, 1550-1600 - Lot 143

SPAIN, probably Seville, 1550-1600 Small Hispano-Moorish ceramic bowl Ceramic with metallic lustre decoration Diam. 23 cm AR Missing parts and visible accidents This dish features a central flower and a border of alternating leaves and vegetal decorations. Born in Abbasid Iraq in the 9th century, the technique of metallic lustre decoration, which developed in Europe in the 14th century, involved firing the pieces several times. The first firing was used to bake the object, followed by a second high-temperature firing to oxidize the first opaque glaze. Finally, the third firing (at low temperature and in a reducing atmosphere) reduced the metallic oxides (copper and silver) deposited on the glaze, giving the objects their beautiful lustrous appearance. Comparable decorated dishes from Seville are published in Ray A. (2000), Spanish Pottery 1248-1898, London: V&A Publications, no. 299 to no. 316, pp. 147-152.