Cup: C.159-1991

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown (Probably)

Entities

• Cup
• one-handled cup

Categories

• Tin-glazed earthenware
• Maiolica

Description

Renaissance maiolica one-handled cup, painted in blue and yellow with a central spot with radiating spokes, interdispersed by graduated strokes.

One-handled cup. Earthenware, tin-glazed ? cream overall; on the reverse, the body shows through the thinly and unevenly applied glaze. Painted in blue, pale and dark yellow.
Circular with narrow base, curved sides, and one horizontal loop handle.
A central pale yellow spot is surrounded by three darker yellow concentric circles, and eight radiating anti-clockwise spokes with curved ends. Between the spokes are groups of graduated blue strokes. Round the rim there are three dark yellow bands over a pale yellow band.

Notes

History note: Probably purchased from Kerin, London, on 9 December 1993 by H.S. Reitlinger (d.1950); the Reitlinger Trust, Maidenhead, from which transferred in 1991

Legal notes

H.S. Reitlinger Bequest, 1950; transferred from the Reitlinger Trust, 1991

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1991-04-29) by Reitlinger, Henry Scipio

Dating

16th Century
Renaissance
Circa 1550 CE - 1600 CE

Note

This form with decoration painted on slip underglaze or on tin-glaze was common in Lazio and Umbria during the sixteenth century. The `Catherine Wheel' (girandola) design is similar to that used at Montelupo during the second half of the sixteenth century. Dishes decorated with this design were exported from Montelupo in large numbers, and it was adopted in Lazio and probably Umbri. A comparable design occurs on a differently-shaped bowl attributed to northern Lazio, and dated to the late 15th century in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Orvieto.