The Hispano-Moresque ware is a
style of pottery initially created in
Muslim Spain, which continued to be
produced under Christian rule in
styles blending Islamic and European
elements. It was the most elaborate
and luxurious pottery being
produced in Europe until the Italian
maiolica industry developed
sophisticated styles in the 15th
century, and was exported over most
of Europe. The industry's most
successful period was during the
14th and 15th centuries.
Around 711AD , the Moors
conquered Spain and over the
following centuries, they introduced
two ceramic techniques to Europe:
glazing with an opaque white tin-
glaze and lustreware, which imitates
metallic finishes with iridescent
effects. Hispano-Moresque wares use
both processes, applying the paint as
an overglaze which is then fired
again.
Lustreware was a speciality of
Islamic pottery, at least partly
because the use of drinking and
eating vessels in gold and silver,
which was the ideal of a luxurious
lifestyle in ancient Rome and Persia
as well as medieval Christian
societies, is prohibited, resulting that
simple pottery and glass were the
main materials used for tableware by
the Muslim elite, when Christian
medieval elite would still normally
used precious metals for both dishes
and cups.
At first centred on Malaga in the
south, and using typical Islamic
decoration, by the 15th century the
largest production was around
Valencia. Wares from Manises and
other Valencian towns were mainly
for the Christian market, and
exported very widely.
In the early 14th century, the town
of Manises, in the municipality of
Valencia, became the most
important production centre of
Moorish lusterware. Vessels were
covered entirely with lead glazes
containing tin oxides, which appear
matt off-white to pale pink. Hand-
painted in copper and silver oxides,
motifs appear metallic pinkish-purple
to pinkish-brown. Stylized foliage
motifs remain the main decorative
motif.
- (CB.2743)
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