Ceramics > Italian Renaissance Maiolica and English Delftware

This handmade ceramic miniature is a replica of an Italian Renaissance "piatto da pompa" made to honor a beautiful lady named Cristofana. "La Cristofana Bella" is written on the banner that hangs before her.
The luster that brightens the piece is liquid gold which is applied with a tiny brush and fired on to the glazed blue on white decorated surface of the dish. The iridescence of the very thin translucent gold changes the appearance of the piece in changing light.