Artwork

Blid de formă tronconică, adâncit, cu buza evazată. Este smălțuit în interior și la exterior (buza). Pe fund are o marcă în formă de ”X” de culoare albă. Cromatică: cărămiziu (fond), verzui, alb.

Blid de formă tronconică, adâncit, cu buza evazată. Este smălțuit în interior și la exterior (buza). Pe fund are o marcă în formă de ”X” de culoare albă. Cromatică: cărămiziu (fond), verzui, alb. is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the ASTRA National Museum Complex. The object is a modestly sized ceramic bowl characterized by a deep, rounded profile that narrows toward the rim.

About this work

Overview

The object is a modestly sized ceramic bowl characterized by a deep, rounded profile that narrows toward the rim. Its exterior displays a warm, brick‑red hue, while the interior is glazed to a smooth, glossy finish. A faint white imprint in the shape of an X appears on the base, likely serving as a maker’s or workshop mark.

Subject & Meaning

Designed for holding liquids or small foods, the bowl’s simple form emphasizes function over ornamentation. The subtle speckling of light and dark spots across the surface adds a modest decorative texture, while the X‑shaped mark provides a trace of identity without overt symbolism.

Technique & Style

The vessel was formed from clay and fired in a kiln, a standard process for producing durable pottery. The exterior’s brick‑red coloration results from the natural hue of the fired clay, whereas the interior’s glossy sheen indicates a slip or glaze application that vitrified during firing. The white X likely derives from a stamped or painted mark applied before the final firing.

History & Provenance

No specific provenance is recorded for the piece, but its material and decorative traits align with traditional utilitarian pottery produced in regions where slip‑glazed earthenware was common. The presence of a maker’s mark suggests it originated from a workshop that identified its output for trade or quality control.

Context

Such bowls are typical of everyday ceramic production, serving domestic or market purposes. Their straightforward design reflects a focus on practicality, while the modest decorative speckles and the faint X mark indicate a modest level of craftsmanship within a broader tradition of functional pottery.