Description

Pomegranates alternate with leaves amid a scrolling vegetal background around the rim. Granada, the southern Spanish city where the Alhambra palace is located, means pomegranate in Spanish. This dish, therefore, may have been made for use in the Islamic court of the Nasrid dynasty (1232–1492). A wine cup in the center evokes the pleasures of a feast. It could also have been appreciated by their Christian successors.

According to the Treatise on Ceramics (1301), written by the Persian historian Abu’l Kasim: “That which has been evenly fired reflects like red gold and shines like the light of the sun.” This description resonates with the appearance of this fine lusterware dish.