Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas 1517 - 1528

Nicola da Urbino made this Armorial Plate around 1520 using maiolica, a tin-glazed earthenware. Decoration onto ceramics with metallic glazes was a highly skilled endeavor during the Italian Renaissance. The smooth, white surface of the tin glaze was like a canvas for painters, allowing for intricate designs and vibrant colors. Note how da Urbino has captured the textures of fabric, skin, foliage, and even the sky. The processes involved the intense labor of mining, preparing the clay, throwing and firing the vessel, mixing pigments, and painstakingly painting the scene by hand. The inclusion of the coat-of-arms suggests this piece may have been commissioned for a wealthy family or a royal court. It served a functional purpose and as a display of status. The decoration of ceramics reflects the values of the culture that created it. Da Urbino’s plate challenges any hierarchy between art and craft, and testifies to the skill and artistry involved in its making.