Dish with centaur and centauress battling

Italian, Deruta or Gubbio

Not on view

This plate belongs to a category of maiolica known as lusterware due to the iridescence of some of the colors employed in its decoration. When fired in the kiln, the metallic oxides turn into metal on the surface of the pottery, resulting in a lustrous surface with reflective properties
The scene depicted on this plate of a male centaur vanquishing a female centaur is uncommon in Renaissance art, and its significance is unclear, as is that of the letters FR[the R crossed].ELAF.MI. that appear on the scroll above the two figures.

Dish with centaur and centauress battling, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), lustered, Italian, Deruta or Gubbio

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