Pancioli on fri 29 sep 00
Dear Vince and Janet:
I have enjoyed the maiolica/majolica discussion and agree with Vince's
definitions to a point. Maiolica is opacified/white glaze with overglaze
painting and fired at "low temperature". Majolica with a J is
completely different, a later colorful British ware NOT glazed in the
maiolica tradition.
I agree with Janet however that the term maiolica is useful to describe
the same technical process when used in Italy OR elsewhere. It is
important to students to understand that "Delft" blue and white tiles
are glazed using the maiolica technique (but with only one color,
cobalt, overpainting). And that "Lambeth" ware is also maiolica, but
made in England.
Then one can trace the development of the technique (chronologically)
from Persia to North Africa to Spain (from there to the new world), to
Italy, to the Lowlands, France, and England with some understanding.
Maiolica's connection to the spread of Islam is also important because
one can trace visual elements used on wares in Persia in the 9th century
that continue for more than 500 years, through the wares of other
countries, even to English wares in the 17th century.
For example, Islamic plates and bowls were often inscribed with Kufic
script all around, usually an aphorism from the Koran. Later, in other
countries we see the same placement of script, but it is latin and
Christian, and even later, on a plate in England, the phrase "Roses are
red...green, God Save Elizabeth our Queen", similarly placed and
decorated.
Also, I read somewhere, probably in Alan Caiger-Smith's fine books on
tin glazed wares, that maiolica was not made in Mallorca. The name
Maiolica was derived from the boats which carried the wares from Spain
to the famous families of Italy who ordered it (before Maiolica was made
in Italy). The boats that carried the wares to Italy were berthed in
Mallorca.
Diana
vince pitelka on sat 30 sep 00
> I agree with Janet however that the term maiolica is useful to describe
> the same technical process when used in Italy OR elsewhere. It is
> important to students to understand that "Delft" blue and white tiles
> are glazed using the maiolica technique (but with only one color,
> cobalt, overpainting). And that "Lambeth" ware is also maiolica, but
> made in England.
Dianna -
We are all pretty close in our definitions. But I the only historical work
which should be referred to as maiolica is the Italian work. It is the same
technique, but it should be referred to as Hispano-Moresque, Delft, Lambeth,
Faience, etc. The historical work is maiolica only if it is Italian.
But I have never implied that the same applies to contemporary work.
Potters all over the world are doing maiolica, and the term is appropriatley
used in that regard.
> Maiolica's connection to the spread of Islam is also important because
> one can trace visual elements used on wares in Persia in the 9th century
> that continue for more than 500 years, through the wares of other
> countries, even to English wares in the 17th century.
Yes, that is an especially fascinating aspect of the evolution of tin-glazed
earthenware.
> Also, I read somewhere, probably in Alan Caiger-Smith's fine books on
> tin glazed wares, that maiolica was not made in Mallorca.
Of course it wasn't. The history is clear on that point, as I stated in an
earlier post. The tin-glaze technique migrated with the spread of Islam
from Persia to north Africa to Spain, and via the trading centers on the
island of Mallorca to Italy. The Italians appropriated the name, but when
they subsequently spelled it out, it came out maiolica.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
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