Ataifor dish with a tree motif

Ms  Anissa  Foukalne
The best-known example of luxury Nasrid ceramics decorated in white, blue and gold is the Jarrón de las Gacelas (Jug of the Gazelles). However there is another very important piece which, judging by its size and excellent craftsmanship, may well have been used in grand state ceremonies in the palaces. It is a large dish which is decorated on the inside with a large tree whose branches stretch out across the whole surface of the dish in a complex harmonious composition. On the outside it is complemented with four large palm designs which branch off from a line that runs around it before reaching the base.
The manufacturing process for the white, blue and gold ceramic is well-known for its technical complexity in that it required various different firing processes and a precisely controlled temperature, difficulties that were enhanced by the size of this particular piece.
Its silhouette on a small round base climbs in a curve to the edge of the dish, which has a lip that would have housed a lid to protect the food being stored inside or perhaps to keep it warm in ceremonies attended by a large number of people.

Time: Every Saturday this month at 12 a.m.    
Place: Room VI, Museum of the Alhambra, Palace of Charles V