A rare Spanish blue and white pottery 'lion' dish from the 'mariposas' series, Puente del Arzobispo, Toledo, 16th C.

Dia.: 32,8 cm

Ref.: Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, Madrid, Spain, registration no. CE19546 for a very comparable example. (see attachment)

The series known as the "mariposas" or "butterflies" series takes its name from the motifs that decorate the borders of these plates, which resemble a butterfly with its wings outstretched. It seems to be an adaptation of the patterns and motifs of oriental influence that began to reach Spain in the second half of the 16th century, probably through Portugal. They usually alternate on the border with various plant motifs or, in some cases, with parallel wavy lines, and the bottom of the plate is decorated with a central motif (generally a zoomorphic element: birds, fish, reptiles, etc.).

Place of Production/Mint:
- Archbishop's Bridge (Toledo, Castile-La Mancha)
- Talavera de la Reina (Talavera (region), Toledo)

(Source: Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, Madrid, Spain)

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