CERAMIC BOWL. TALAVERA. 17-18TH CENTURIES

Bowl, Talavera, late 17th - early 18th century. Glazed ceramic. Ceramic bowl decorated with high-temperature glazes on an opaque white tin slip. The polychrome is based on typical Talavera colors: cobalt blue, copper green, manganese black, antimony yellow and iron ochres, browns and oranges. These glazes were applied over the raw slip, so the piece was fired only twice: once for the paste and once for the slip and glazes. In addition, the colors were protected with a varnish, which was also fired in this second firing. The pieces were placed in the oven in blankets or boxes, so that the colors would not burn (they are fired at a very high temperature, 900º). In general, those from Talavera will be good cooks, without major defects. The rise of this ceramic manufacture took place between the 16th century and the mid-18th century, when the French taste was introduced to Spain, and the clientele began to prefer Alcora pieces. However, Talavera will experience a new Golden Age at the end of the 19th century, with historicisms. This piece presents a typical Talavera decoration, which will be widely imitated in other centers throughout the entire Modern Age: an animal in a rampant position in the center, on a schematic floor plan, flanked by two large plant elements. The decoration is completed with synthesized plant elements and bands of concentric lines, inside and outside.

· Size: 32x32x15 cms.