ca. 1430
Town probably Manises,
Spain
Spain
Object qualities
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Objecttableware: Dish
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumTin-glazed earthenware
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SizeOverall: 2 3/8 x 17 3/4 in. (6 x 45.1 cm)
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Geography detailsMade in
Town probably Manises,
Spain -
Country today
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Dateca. 1430
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CultureSpanish
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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With shimmering copper tones, often combined with cobalt blue, lusterware from Valencia depends on Islamic tradition, both in technique and in decoration. Here, the central motif is a palm tree surrounded by bands with a repeating al-afiya motif—a stylized shorthand of the Arabic word for “health” and “happiness.” Valencian ceramics with these designs have been excavated in Egypt and must have been shipped from Spain to Muslim clients there, but luxurious plates like this were also highly prized in European royal and noble households. This bowl, probably a remnant of a larger table service, was made for export to the Dazzi family of Florence, whose arms it bears on the reverse.