Dish: Diana and Actaeon, Siena, tin-glazed earthenware, about 1495

Museum number

C1

Object

Dish: Diana and Actaeon, Siena, tin-glazed earthenware, about 1495

Description

Large dish, intended for display rather than use. Tin-glazed earthenware decorated with enamel colours. The deep middle of segmental section, broad slanting rim and projecting foot. The coloured decoration in dark cobalt-blue, orange-yellow, lemon-yellow, bright green, opaque dark red. The back partly bare of glaze, and partly coated with a clear glaze giving a pinkish tone to the underlying paste.Figure subject in the well of the dish: Artemis and Actaeon. Artemis and three nymphs stand in an oblong bath with a columnar fountain. Actaeon has already been partially transformed into a stag, and is being attacked by his own hounds. A banderole is inscribed: PEL_AQVA CHE MIGITASTI ADOSO CONTVVOMANI FACO SOCERVIO E MORTO MANOCANI. Around the rim revelling satyrs and Lapiths in combat with centaurs. Date 1480, according to Rackman 1934. Tinglazed earthenware, lead-glazed back: two holes in footrim for display as piatto da pomp (show-dish). Painted with the goddess Diana surprised while bathing by the shepherd Actaeon, punished by being turned into a stag and devoured by his own hounds. Border with Greek myth, the battle of the Lapiths and Cantaurs [half-horse, half-humans] after the centaurs tried to carry off the women at a Lapith wedding feast. Magnificent early example of an istoriato dish, though awkwardly drawn and composed. Upper and lower hound from a well-known print of wild animals by Finiguerra of Florence [died 1464]. Shape typical of Deruta, red pigment not known at Deruta but used after 1500 at Siena.Opinion of B. Rackman on 10th September 1960: The question of the origin of the dish is difficult. The shape is certainly one which became the standard for a dish of this kind at Deruta, but the presence of the red pigment, which does occur on undoubtedly Sienese wares after 1500 and not on anything certainly from Deruta, suggests that "Siena or Deruta" would be the most prudent classification.Note on card:Unquestionably authentic and one of the great pieces of early istoriato maiolica anywhere. The origin was sensibly discussed by Rackman. My best guess is that this can be related to the big plate in Rouen (Allinne 1928, no. 8) which Luccarelli has convincingly attributed to Siena. Must be circa 1490.

Materials

Maiolica

Inscription

Banderole [scroll] inscribed: PEL'AQVA CHE MIGITASTI ADOSO CONVO MANI FATO SOCERVIO E MORTO MANOCANI [Through the water which you threw on my back with your hands, I am made a stag and die at the hand of my hounds.]

On display?

Yes

Further description

Simple name

Earthenware

Subject

Allegorical