Italy, Ferrara, early 16th Century / c. 1500–1510
Plate with a Portrait of a Gentleman
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Plate with a Portrait of a Gentleman as ceramic (Italy, Ferrara, early 16th Century · c. 1500–1510).
Incised slipware is an ancient technique of decorating ceramics that dates back to the Tang dynasty in China (618-907).
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as red earthenware, incised slipware.
The museum's collection notes: This plate is an example of incised slipware—a technique in which clay was coated with a pale-colored slip and decorated by scratching away part of the slip to reveal the darker body beneath. Although produced in the same kilns as maiolica, slipware did not require the additional expense of importing tin.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPlate with a Portrait of a GentlemanOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.