This is an example of lusterware from Valencia.The decoration is a copy of the style used in Malagá, and shows how skillfully the Muslim potters of Valencia were at reproducing the Andalusian models. Large, deep dishes such as this are called braseros and were used for display as well as for serving food. This bowl is 18" in diameter and was thrown from a terra cotta clay. A white slip was then applied and designs carved using the sgraffito technique the brown and white part of this design is the sgraffito portion. Next, overglazes of cobalt and lusters were applied to complete the design. Radiating to the 4 corners of this piece are stylized palmettes containing tree-of-life designs. The blue scrolls at the rim are a debased form of the Nazarid script.
In Spain, the fashion was not to set the table with individual place settings, but rather to allow guests to serve themselves from central dishes such as this.
Brasero (Deep Dish) from Valencia, Spain 1400 CE
