Majolica dish – Castlefiorentino Italy 16th century

This magnificent sixteenth century majolica dish is a Tuscan realization, more precisely of the town of Castlefiorentino.
The majolica or maiolica is the specific name given to this type of earthenware. This production technique, originally from «Moorish» Spain, spread in Italy at the end of the 14th century and was a great success. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, several regions of Italy became true centers of majolica production, allowing their enrichment and the fame of their pieces.
The decoration of this dish is an alternation of geometric friezes and plant elements, and finally at the level of the umbilicus sits a coat of arms azure with a lion rampant sable (black). The particular shape of this coat of arms reminds the Venetian coats of arms. These decorations are said to be graffito.