Dish 1650 - 1750

This dish was made by Bernard Palissy sometime in the 16th century, crafted from glazed earthenware. Palissy was a fascinating figure, a self-taught potter who burned his furniture for fuel, all in pursuit of the perfect glaze. Palissy was known for his so-called "rusticware". He achieved this highly ornate, colorful style by pressing molds into clay, firing them, and then adding layers of colored glazes. Each firing was a gamble, with the potential for disaster. The high-relief decoration, with faces framed by vegetation, speaks to the Renaissance interest in classical forms, combined with a close observation of nature. But don't let the aristocratic subject matter fool you. This was not a precious metal object. It was earthenware, a relatively common material, albeit elevated to a high level of artistry. Palissy blurred the lines between fine art and craft, offering luxury to a wider market. His work speaks volumes about the burgeoning consumer culture of the Renaissance, and the enduring appeal of handmade artistry.