c. 1500-1530

Vase in the Shape of a Pinecone

Maiolica is an Italian term used to describe this kind of tin-glazed ceramic, which reached a height of popularity during the 1400s and 1500s. This unusually shaped vase is a fine example of the metallic luster wares produced in Deruta, Italy, an important center of maiolica production in the Renaissance. Fairly inexpensive, maiolica wares were suitable for everyday use, frequently taking the form of pharmacy jars, vases, and dishes. This vase would originally have had a conical top with a rounded handle, and it was likely made as a container for sweets or pine nuts—luxuries that were sometimes candied but were also used for medicinal purposes.