Terms and conditions of use
Pharmacy jar from Santa Maria Nuova
(c. 1430)
Medium
earthenware (maiolica)
Measurements
30.9 × 30.8 × 26.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1936
© Public Domain
Gallery location
17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
The Italian maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware) industry developed in response to the popularity of ceramics imported from Spain, where a rich ceramic tradition originally developed under Islamic rule. The decoration of this handled jar produced for the pharmacy of the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova in Florence shows the continuing influence of the Hispano-Moresque pottery tradition. The underglaze blue decoration of oak leaves and rampant hound is executed in cobalt oxide most likely obtained from North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean, where it would have arrived via overland trade routes from Iran.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Accession Number
3649-D3
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited