Bowl with the crossing of the Red Sea

Giovan Battista dalle Palle

Faenza or Verona

Tin-glazed earthenware

Diameter: 29.8 cm

The scene depicted here shows the miraculous parting of the Red Sea when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The bowl is signed by Giovan Battista dalle Palle, who specialised in a style known as istoriato — Italian for ‘with a story’. Istoriato maiolica features scenes from the Bible, Greek and Roman mythology and ancient Roman history.

Mark Gambier-Parry bequest, 1966

Photo Ⓒ The Courtauld