Basin

Damián Hernández

1660–80 · Tin-glazed earthenware · The American Wing

The shape of this type of basin, called a lebrillo, is rooted in Hispano-Islamic ceramic traditions. In Mexico, the lebrillo was adapted to a variety of uses, both religious and domestic, often distinguishable by the way in which they are decorated. The interior of this basin, glazed in a technique called aborronado, features a woman in contemporary dress surrounded by birds and a dense pattern of dotted foliate decoration. The basin is marked with the initials “he,” which may belong to Damián Hernández, a founding member of the Puebla potter’s guild.

Artist

Damián Hernández

Date

1660–80

Medium

Tin-glazed earthenware

Culture

Mexican

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Robert W. de Forest, 1911