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FIG SPRINGS POLYCHROME front view
Type Name: FIG SPRINGS POLYCHROME
Type Index: MAJOLICA
Production Origin: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Date Range: 1540-1650
Defining Attributes:

Uniform and compact red paste with light sand tempering.

Grayish white background enamel, often varying in thickness.

Designs are painted in a grayish-blue enamel, accented with yellow or orange line details.

Typical design motifs include a central palmette, fronds, stylized floral or animal motifs, which can occur in both the central and bordering areas of vessels.

Rims are often decorated with frond-like floral elements, or with a series of large, U-shaped loops.

Vessel Forms: ALBARELO
BOWL
BRIMMED PLATO
CUP
PITCHER
Comments: Fig Springs Polychrome, originally defined by John Goggin in 1968, is also know as "San Juan Polychrome". It is one of the earliest American-made majolicas, and is part of the Mexico City "Fine Ware" majolica category, which came into production around 1540. It does not appear regularly in Florida or Caribbean contexts until after about 1575.
Published Definitions: Goggin 1968; Lister and Lister 1982; Deagan 2002

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