Seville Morisco Ware

SEVILLE: Morisco Wares

Morisco wares are mainly tin-glazed vessels (except for melado) with a cream-coloured, slightly sandy fabric, with almost no inclusions visible to the naked eye.

The fabric, texture and glaze are distinctive and clearly different to Italian and Dutch wares, although not so easily distinguished from Valencian lustreware.

The thickness of the vessels, profiles and decoration are also characteristic.

Forms are quickly turned on the wheel and trimmed to shape with a template; vessels so produced have very standardised profiles, but many lack little attention to detail or finish.

Decoration was varied, using a range of colours and motifs that usually provide clues to dating.

A wide range of forms were produced, including dishes, bowls, jars or albarelli, jugs, bottles, chamber pots, mortars, lamps, orzas or small storage jars.