“Aranhões” Plate
Author: Unknown
Origin: Portugal
Dating: 1650-1680
Material: Clay
Dimensions (cm): Ø 40,5
Inv. no.: PD0135
Plate depicting a bird, painted in blue and wine color, with a rim decorated with stylized pairs of peaches alternating with Artemisia leaves.
The object is decorated with a motif known as aranhões, which use is identified in the second half of the 17th century. The observable manganese purple outline, contrasts with the use of single blue, seen in faïence from Lisbon.
The aranhões theme stems from the simplified interpretation that Portuguese potters made of the motifs used in Chinese porcelain. Namely Artemisia leaves, a Buddhist symbol that was commonly used in the decoration of kraak porcelain that appeared in large quantities in Europe. This element – part of a set of eight attributes that Confucianism associated with the “wise man” – is often associated with ribbons on Chinese pieces.
