Portuguese fine red coarsewares

Summary

Known outside Portugal as "Merida type red micaceous wares" or "Portuguese Merida-type ware", and believed to have originated in the Western Castilla and latter from Alentejo, called "terra sigillata from Estremoz", "redware", "feldspar inlaid redware", or modelled ceramics, these ceramics originated in southern Portugal.

The production presents very diverse but elegant shapes crossing Classic, Islamic and Baroque influences with specific characteristics such as clean red fabrics, plastic decorations, incised, impressed and micaceous decorations, small quartz stones or even small glass sherds. They were used in wealthy aristocratic and bourgeoisie households, and in the austere convents, but by the general population as well.

At the present time there are only two published kilns in Silves known to have produced such wares, although it is suspected, considering its large widespread that they were produced from late 16th century and during the 17th century in different areas of Portugal, although mostly in the south.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Portuguese finds in Portugal and overseas archaeology   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 592