A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Fajalauza Lebrillo bowl, hand-painted with a wonderfully expressive bird amongst stylised flowers and foliage in traditional cobalt blue, green and warm manganese-brown tones.
Originating from Granada in southern Spain, Fajalauza pottery is renowned for its distinctive hand-painted decoration and rustic glazed earthenware. These large shallow bowls, known as lebrillos, were originally practical household vessels but today make wonderfully decorative pieces in their own right.
Bowl A is particularly appealing because of its unusual multicoloured decoration. The freely painted bird and botanical design has enormous character, while the irregular form, glaze variations, firing marks and areas of wear are all part of the charm of this handmade antique pottery.
28.5 cm Diameter x 6 cm Height
19th-century Spanish lebrillo bowl
Attributed to Fajalauza pottery
Hand-painted bird, floral and foliate decoration
Cobalt blue, green and manganese-brown tones
Glazed earthenware
Granada, Spain
19th Century
Two old holes to the reverse for hanging
Decorative use recommended
Condition
Good antique condition with no cracks or significant repairs noted.
As expected with a piece of this age, there are areas of glaze wear, small chips and losses around the rim, firing imperfections and variations to the hand-painted decoration. There are two old holes to the reverse which have previously been used for hanging.
These signs of age and use form an important part of the character and history of the bowl. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
Why We Love It
Bowl A is one of the most decorative examples in the collection. We particularly love the wonderfully naive hand-painted bird surrounded by loose botanical decoration and the combination of blue, green and earthy brown.
No two pieces of traditional Fajalauza pottery are quite alike and the imperfections, irregular brushwork and softly aged surface give this bowl a warmth that is impossible to reproduce in modern ceramics.
Styling Tip
Display upright on a shelf, console or dresser using a suitable plate stand, or hang on the wall as a striking piece of ceramic art. It would look particularly beautiful as part of a collection of antique Spanish and Mediterranean pottery, where its multicoloured decoration provides a lovely contrast to traditional blue and white ceramics.
SKU: 2385