History (where, who, when) The Alhambra vases are a group of large ceramics vases painted in luster. They were produced in southern Spain in the fourteenth century. Only ten complete vases exist today. Each of these vases are named after its provenance or some distinguishing characteristics, these names are not universally accepted. These works of art were produced in the Nasrid dynasty, the last of the Muslim rulers in Spain, who reigned from 1232 to 1492. They were called the Alhambra vases because it was believed that they were made to decorate the Alhambra palace. These vases provide useful evidence for the social and historical study of late Moorish Spain, such as roles of major cities, the relationship between christians and muslims,
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The edge of the handles is crossed by an epigraphic frieze that reads "happiness and prosperity", while the interior is completed with a typical bottom ataurique snails or spirals.The upper body in one out of their foreheads a central motif of gazelles facing bottom ataurique. by semicircular bands like the above that divides the body into two it is framed. The lower body is formed by a series of triangles and blue ovals. The triangles contain the same legend of "happiness and prosperity" while the ovals host trees of life. An epigraphic strip horizontally through the body and divides it into two parts. It reads, like the handle, "happiness and prosperity" on a gold background. This piece is a unique product which represents luxury and power Nazari and the completion of the technical process of …show more content…
The vases were certainly molded in parts, and then probably fired as a single piece. Problems of fire arose because a kiln big enough to hold a vase this size would not heat properly. Hence the pitting on some of the vases, such as the Stockholm vase and the dripping paint on the Antelope vase. Making the vases by part would increase the required time for planning, molding, and decorating. Consequently the number of vases made would decrease.
What was it made for?
The shape of the vases can be traced back to painted Greek amphoras. Amphoras are both functional and decorative. Unpainted amphorae, usually with narrow necks or stoppers, were standard storage containers for oil or wine. The painted ones, with lidless wide mouths, were used as decanters. Relatives of the amphora were the “panathenaic amphora” which were large painted vases with narrow necks and were made for public presentation at festivals or games. They were splendidly decorated because they were given as prizes.
How it could have stood helps determine what It could have been used for.
Considering the form of the vases, it was either made to buried in the ground or to have a stand for it to be placed on to help it stay up. If it had been on a stand it would have been impossible to tip over to remove the contents, however if they were held on stands then it would have been
The edge of the handles is crossed by an epigraphic frieze that reads "happiness and prosperity", while the interior is completed with a typical bottom ataurique snails or spirals.The upper body in one out of their foreheads a central motif of gazelles facing bottom ataurique. by semicircular bands like the above that divides the body into two it is framed. The lower body is formed by a series of triangles and blue ovals. The triangles contain the same legend of "happiness and prosperity" while the ovals host trees of life. An epigraphic strip horizontally through the body and divides it into two parts. It reads, like the handle, "happiness and prosperity" on a gold background. This piece is a unique product which represents luxury and power Nazari and the completion of the technical process of …show more content…
The vases were certainly molded in parts, and then probably fired as a single piece. Problems of fire arose because a kiln big enough to hold a vase this size would not heat properly. Hence the pitting on some of the vases, such as the Stockholm vase and the dripping paint on the Antelope vase. Making the vases by part would increase the required time for planning, molding, and decorating. Consequently the number of vases made would decrease.
What was it made for?
The shape of the vases can be traced back to painted Greek amphoras. Amphoras are both functional and decorative. Unpainted amphorae, usually with narrow necks or stoppers, were standard storage containers for oil or wine. The painted ones, with lidless wide mouths, were used as decanters. Relatives of the amphora were the “panathenaic amphora” which were large painted vases with narrow necks and were made for public presentation at festivals or games. They were splendidly decorated because they were given as prizes.
How it could have stood helps determine what It could have been used for.
Considering the form of the vases, it was either made to buried in the ground or to have a stand for it to be placed on to help it stay up. If it had been on a stand it would have been impossible to tip over to remove the contents, however if they were held on stands then it would have been