Africa (part of a set) 19th century

This tin-glazed earthenware panel depicting "Africa" was made in Italy, sometime between 1700 and 1900. The lusterware technique involved coating the earthenware in a glaze made with metallic salts and then firing it in a kiln. The high heat creates a reflective sheen that enlivens the colors, as can be seen on the figures’ robes and skin. While tin-glazed earthenware had been practiced for centuries, this panel reveals a culture in transition. We see this in the composition, which blends idealized figures with a European vision of an exotic land. Note the elephant on the right – it is an imposing animal, but not based on careful observation. The labor-intensive process of making lusterware contrasts sharply with the panel’s subject matter. The work invites us to consider the dynamics of production and representation, challenging conventional distinctions between high art and craft.