Tin-glazed earthenware is a type of pottery made of clay that is fired and then coated with a glaze containing tin oxide, which is white, opaque, and glossy. This tin oxide glaze serves as a perfect background for painted designs. The addition of tin oxide differentiates it from other types of glazes by giving the surface a white, often brightly reflective quality, allowing for a wide range of vibrant colors in the decorative patterns applied over it.
This technique originated in the Near East in the early Islamic period and spread to Europe in the Middle Ages, becoming highly popular in Italy by the Renaissance (where it was known as maiolica), in the Netherlands and England (where it was called Delftware), and in Spain and Portugal (where it was referred to as azulejo in the form of tiles). Each country developed its own stylistic variations, using the tin glaze as a canvas for intricate hand-painted designs, ranging from geometric and floral patterns to elaborate historical and mythological scenes.
Tin-glazed earthenware is appreciated for its beauty and has been used both for functional items such as plates, bowls, and jugs, as well as decorative pieces like tiles and wall plaques. Its production requires significant skill in both the firing process to prevent the glaze from cracking and in the artistry of painting designs on the glazed surface.
See also Delft
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