Plate of Saint Clare 1535
Saint Clare Maiolica Charger. Attributed to Baldassare Manara (Faenza Workshop)
Faenza, Italy, c. 1535
Created in Faenza around 1535, this hand-painted maiolica charger preserves its vibrant colors and clean, confident linework. The luminous surface is achieved through a glazing and polishing technique associated with Baldassare Manara, one of the distinguished ceramic artists of the period, whose workshop helped define the refined Faenza style.
At the center appears Saint Clare of Assisi, holding the monstrance (Custodia) high in her right hand, a gesture recalling the moment she defended her monastery through prayer and unwavering faith. In her left hand she carries the Holy Scriptures, expressing her devotion to the Word, along with a blue lily, a traditional symbol of sanctity and purity. The composition blends devotional elegance with the decorative grace characteristic of Italian Renaissance maiolica, making this piece both a work of art and a testament of Franciscan spirituality.
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