Large Portuguese Coimbra Séc. XV Revival Faience Centrepiece

Large in scale and entirely hand painted, this Portuguese faience centrepiece was made in Coimbra in the traditional Séc. XV revival style. A running hound occupies the central panel, surrounded by a densely arranged series of compartments containing animals, birds, flowers and insects. Deep green bands divide the individual scenes, while fine latticework and small geometric motifs fill the spaces between them. The decoration is remarkably detailed, right through to the upper painted border, which is scalloped rather than finished with a conventional straight line. The traditional palette of copper green, manganese brown and ochre is painted against a warm white ground. The lobed exterior is more restrained, decorated with small hand-painted insects. Its large form works equally well as a table centrepiece or displayed on a wall. Pierced hanging points incorporated into the reverse allow it to be securely mounted. The underside is inscribed “Séc. XV”, together with the number 366 and the painter’s or workshop initials F.R. Condition Excellent vintage condition, with no chips, cracks or restoration. Minor variations within the glaze and hand-painted decoration are characteristic of its handmade production. Dimensions 33 × 28 × 9 cm Origin Coimbra, Portugal, 20th century. Collector’s Note The inscription “Séc. XV” refers to the fifteenth-century Portuguese ceramic tradition that inspired the decoration; it is not the date of manufacture. During the twentieth century, Coimbra potteries revived these historic animal, floral and geometric designs, drawing on Portugal’s Hispano-Moresque ceramic heritage. Large decorative dishes of this type were made both as substantial centrepieces and for display on the wall.