Hispano Moresque Ceramic Charger

A 17th century Hispano-Moresque copper lustre ceramic charger, with a banded rim decorated on the center with a stylized bird among carnations and scattered flowers (d 36 cm). Hispano-Moresque ware was a style of initially Islamic pottery created in Muslim Spain, which continued to be produced under Christian rule in styles blending Islamic and European elements. The Moors introduced tin-glazed pottery to Spain after the conquest of 711. Valencia, Barcelona and Malaga became important centers of Hispano-Moresque ware. The industry’s most successful period was the 14th and 15th centuries. Although the Moors were expelled from Spain in the early 17th century, the Hispano-Moresque style survived in the province of Valencia. Later wares usually have a coarse reddish-buff body, dark blue decoration and luster. Private collection Athens Greece.