Italian
Deruta Maiolica Vase, n.d.
On view
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions14 × 12 × 12 in. (35.6 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm)
Gift of Viola E. Bray, 2005.156
This vase of tin-glazed earthenware—called maiolica—was made in Deruta, a town in Italy that has manufactured pottery since the Middle Ages. In the early 16th century, Deruta ceramics were produced with a metallic luster surface, a technique inspired by Islamic pottery. Compounds containing silver or copper were painted on the fired pottery, which were then refired at lower temperatures. Distinguished by their use of yellow and pearly polish, Deruta ceramics are also known for their clear decorative patterns. The two-dimensional designs on this vase, which cover the whole surface except for trim bands of solid yellow at the lip and base, work well with its simple shape and smooth contours.
