Spanish, Valencia
Hispano-Moresque Plate, early 18th century
Metallic luster pigments and a cream slip ground on buff colored clay, 37 x 10 cm (14 9/16 x 3 15/16 in.)
This hand-painted, circular ceramic plate from Valencia, Spain was originally overpainted with a golden metallic luster. Today only a fragment is a golden hue; the remaining finish has worn off, leaving a cream slip ground covered with small, dark-brown abstract figures. The rim is dark brown. Three large brown fronds dominate the center and between them is perched a small, pale-chested small, pale-chested brown bird. The back of the plate is cream with a small circular foot.
Short Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.