Iberian Ceramics

This historical exploration spans eight centuries, from 711 to 1492, during which a unique blend of political, cultural, and religious traditions flourished in the southern region of the Iberian Peninsula, now known as Spain. The study focuses on the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries when two significant centers for luster glazed ceramics production emerged: Islamic-ruled Málaga and Christian-ruled Valencia. In this context, Muslim artisans expertly employed Islamic decorative motifs on luster-glazed ceramics, creating highly sought-after objects collected by patrons ranging from nobility to Christian royalty. Initially characterized by the dominance of traditional Islamic motifs, luster glazed ceramic production in Málaga gradually evolved to incorporate a fusion of both Islamic and Christian decorative elements.