Urbino majolica

Urbino majolica

Italian tin-glazed earthenware made in the city of Urbino, which dominated the market from c. 1520. Early wares, mostly dishes, are painted in a range of colours, dominated by brilliant yellow, orange, and brown, and decorated with narrative scenes typically covering the entire surface, a style known as istoriato. Scenes are taken from the Bible, mythology, Classical and contemporary history, and poetry. Later wares were decorated in a style called grotesque, adapted from motifs found in Roman excavations. Production declined in the late 17th century. See also majolica.