Italian Ceramics before 1603
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Glasgow Museums has an important collection of approximately 45 fifteenth and sixteenth century decorated Italian ceramics. Inspired by the imported quality wares of Spain, the Italian potters of the Renaissance created fine tin-glazed and painted earthenware products that were the most sophisticated ceramics of the age. Known as ‘maiolica’, these ceramics were prized for their flawless opaque white glazes and lustrous and often colourful finish. The decoration on these ceramic items varies, from the relatively simple inscriptions found on drug jars to extremely sophisticated examples of figurative painting known as ‘narrative’ decoration, or ‘istoriato’ in Italian. At its most refined and decorative maiolica would have been a prestigious luxury item, available to only the very richest clientele. A notable market for maiolica, and a significant source of income for Italian potters, were the many pharmacists, apothecaries and hospitals that commissioned thousands of drug jars to adorn their richly furnished interiors. These vessels were not only beautiful, but were impermeable to liquids and easy to clean, making them ideal containers for drugs held in various forms. Amongst the most important pieces in the collection are four figurative-subject plates by two of the most highly regarded maiolica painters working in or near the north Italian production centre of Urbino - Francesco Durantino and Francesco Xanto Avelli. Several high-quality pieces of maiolica were obtained directly from the famous Spitzer Collection, auctioned in Paris in 1893. The collection was further strengthened with later additions, including five pieces donated by Sir William and Lady Burrell in 1944
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