Platter 1575 - 1599

This platter, by Bernard Palissy, was made in the 16th century, using glazed earthenware. Palissy wasn't trained as a potter; he began as a glass painter. Yet he became renowned for his highly naturalistic style, what he himself termed "rustic ware." The platter's surface is a riot of lifelike detail. You'll see snakes, fish, shells, and vegetation, all emerging from a mottled ground. Palissy achieved this effect through a laborious process, casting each element from life, then assembling and firing the whole piece. What makes this so interesting is the collision of high and low. Palissy was self-consciously emulating the fashionable metalwork of his day. However, he did so using humble materials, and an exacting work process. It's this combination that gives Palissy's work its enduring appeal, reminding us that artistic skill can elevate even the most modest of materials.