Oval basin or dish with subject from Amadis of Gaul

Maiolica ceramics was first developed around 1370 in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria with a refined , white glaze which occurred due to the presence of tin oxide, causing a fine white ash. One of the most appealing styles of pottery ever produced, the tin-glazed pottery was made in Italy during the Renaissance (1300-1700). The early designs dated between 1440 and 1540 were influenced by the pottery imported from Islamic North Africa. After the first firing, the bisque is dipped into a bath of fast drying liquid glaze. When dry, the glazed piece is ready to be hand painted. A final firing at a high temperature about 1690 F makes the glaze interact with the metal oxides in the paint to create brilliant translucent colors.

Orazio Fontana was an Italian architect and sculptor who lived during the Renaissance. Born in Rome in 1510, he was the son of the painter Francesco Fontana. Orazio Fontana was trained as a sculptor and worked for a time in the studio of Michelangelo. Fontana is best known for his work as an architect and was responsible for designing several important buildings in Rome. One of his most important projects was the Palazzo della Cancelleria, which he worked on from 1546 to 1550. This palace was built for the Papal Chancellery and is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Rome. Fontana also designed the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, which was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman Baths of Diocletian. This church is notable for its innovative design, which incorporates the ancient Roman structure into the new building. In addition to his work as an architect, Fontana also created several sculptures, including a statue of St Peter for St Peter's Basilica in Rome. He died in 1571, leaving a legacy of important architectural works that continue to inspire and influence architects today.