A PAIR OF TIN-GLAZED EARTHENWARE BLUE AND WHITE ALBARELLI, SPAIN, CATALONIA, 1450-1500 |

each of waisted cylindrical form with sloping shoulder and slightly everted rim, painted in underglaze cobalt blue on a cream ground with thick stylised leaves, each featuring an abstract figure in profile blending amongst the background

Both intact, the slightly taller example with some wear to one section of shoulder with associated restoration and overpainting, both with abrasion along external edges and minor chips, the taller with dark encrustation to interior, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Such blue and white earthenware had its origins from Eastern production centres such as Kufa, Basra and Baghdad, only later finding its way into Islamic Al-Andalus. Following the thirteenth century Christian conquest in the region, Muslim artisans were granted the right to work freely in the region upon the payment of a small tax. The exchanges between Islamic and Christian artisans produced a hybrid style of ceramics symptomatic of the artistic openness of fifteenth century Iberia. This is exemplified through the combination of aniconic Andalusian vegetal motifs coupled with the human image of a woman on these jars (Martinez Caviró 1991, p.158, fig.158). A collection of similar shaped blue-and-white jars can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum (inv.nos. 47-1907, 49-1907 & 50-1907).