
Anna Burnside
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Sold for £7,040 inc. premium
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Provenance
Graham Slater Collection
Previously a Muslim province or taifa, the Kingdom of Valencia was re-conquered by James I of Aragon in the 13th century. Manises became an important centre for ceramic production and both Muslim (Moors) and Christian potters settled here, sometimes working together. The great Islamic invention of lustre decoration was suddenly available in Spain, and was widely exported as wealthy families across Europe wanted to display costly dishes or chargers emblazoned with their armorials and crests. Toward the end of the fifteenth century, the potters in Manises created new shapes derived from contemporary metalwork, with raised studs and ribbing. These splendid dishes were often decorated overall with a 'dot-and-stalk' pattern, which served as a field surrounding a family crest. One of the most exciting features of these early lustre chargers is the decoration on the underside or reverse. The great spirit with which the 'fern leaf' pattern is painted confirms a fifteenth century date for Graham Slater's dish.
Several related chargers are discussed by Anthony Ray in Spanish Pottery (2000), p.91 and pp.93-4, nos. 200-203. An example with a moulded border of studs and lustre 'dot and stalk' pattern featured a similar heraldic panel of an owl, as well as identical fern leaf ornament on the reverse, see Christie's, 18 December 2006, lot 15.