Dish

Unknown Artist

early 18th century

Dish by Unknown Artist

Medium

Tin-glazed earthenware

Dimensions

Diameter: 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)

Classification

Ceramics-Pottery

Culture

Dutch, Delft

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Catharine Van Vliet De Witt Sterry, 1908

Accession Number

08.107.2

Art Historical Context

This elegant dish, crafted in early 18th-century Delft, Netherlands, exemplifies the height of Dutch tin-glazed earthenware production, known as Delftware. Measuring 12¼ inches in diameter, it was designed for both practical serving and ornamental display in affluent European households. The tin-glazing technique—where a layer of tin oxide was applied to earthenware before firing—created a smooth, white surface ideal for vibrant painted decorations, allowing artisans to mimic the luxury of Chinese porcelain at a more accessible price. Delftware flourished in Delft from the 17th century onward...

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