History
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History
History of Maiolica
Maiolica is an Italian earthenware with an opaque white glaze containing tin-oxide. Its most outstanding feature is its splendidly colorful decoration which, unlike paintings or tapestries, remains unfaded over time. Its introduction in Italy long preceded the use of the word "Maiolica" which was derived from Majorca in Spain, where ships carrying lusterware from Valencia stopped on their way to Italy. The tin-glaze technique originated in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) during the ninth century, almost certainly in an effort to emulate white stoneware and early porcelains imported from China. It was soon found to provide an excellent surface for colored decoration and the technique spread through the Islamic middle east and was taken to Africa, Southern Spain and Sicily when the Arabs conquered those areas.
Maiolica seems to have been established in Italy around 1200 but how it was introduced is not entirely clear. Some believe that the popularity of tin-glazed wares imported from the Middle East led to imitation while others believe the technique was introduced through the immigration of Arab potters to Italy from Spain or Sicily.
Maiolica is usually associated with the Renaissance when its aesthetic quality was at its peak. Improvements in kilns and glazes, and the introduction of new colors which could withstand high firing temperatures made possible the development of more sophisticated decorative patterns.
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