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majolica on antiques roadshow - more

updated tue 9 jan 07

 

Richard Mahaffey on sun 7 jan 07


Snail wrote:

popularized in Renaissance Italy but derived
from Spain (Majorca), and in turn from Arab
sources, who were inspired by Chinese painted
porcelain.
----------------
That is true that the Spanish learned the technique from the Moors.

It originated in the area of Persia/ Turkey. Also cobalt painting there predates Chinese cobalt painting according to my sources in Turkey. The Cobalt ore pebbles were taken along the silk road as trade goods. A source at the Central Academy of Design at Tsinghua University in Beijing said the same thing. I don't know how true it is, but I have seen some very early lead glazed cobalt painted ceramics in the Avery Brundage Collection in San Francisco, California at the New Asian Art Museum (A must see if you are there).

The addition of Tin to the lead glaze was the main reaction to Chinese Porcelain since they were already painting with cobalt and I believe iron.

Your Mileage May Vary,

Rick