Lustred dish
Large lustred dish for ewer with gadrooned border and raised boss of concentric rings with a Christian inscription
Dish decorated in lustre with raised boss of concentric rings (reverse)

Repeated round this imposing dish are the first lines of the Gospel of Saint John, in garbled Latin: ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ The use of a bold inscription as the main decorative feature reflects the importance of calligraphy in Islamic cultures. This reveals a strong continuity in the pottery of Christian Spain with the country’s Islamic past. The shape of this dish imitates metalwork, especially in the raised leaves (called ‘gadroons’) that seem to form a large flower. In turn, Spanish lustreware was the likely source of inspiration for the painted enamel dishes produced in Italy around this time (as seen in this case). The underside of the dish, which would not have been seen when displayed, is more freely painted.
For about two hundred years, Manises, near Valencia,
was renowned as a pottery centre, providing luxury
lustreware on an almost mass scale for wealthy clients all
over Europe, and especially Italy. Typical wares include bowls, jugs and
dishes, forming part of lavish dinner services.

Valencian lustreware has a dual heritage, reflecting Spain’s Islamic and Christian history. The shape of this dish is European while the lustred decoration recalls the earlier Islamic ceramics of Spain. The Latin inscription refers to the dish’s Christian patronage: “In principio erat verbum’ is the first line of the Gospel of John, ‘In the beginning was the Word’.

Large dishes like this one, with their boldly painted backs, must have been designed to be seen from both sides. The holes in the rim are original, indicating the dish was probably suspended when not in use, either for storage or display.

Alessandro Castellani, acquired by Thomas Gambier Parry before 1875

Inscription: IN PRINCIPIO ERAT VERBUM