Pair of Ceramic Plates by Mafra

Pair of ceramic plates by Manuel Mafra, with reptiles and insects in green and brown tones.
Manuel Cipriano Gomes Mafra (Portugal, 1829 – 1905), was a leading manufacturer of Palissy-style ceramics in the second half of the 19th century and the main proponent of Portuguese Palissy ceramics. He was the first of a group of important ceramicists to operate in the Portuguese town of Caldas de Rainha, north of Lisbon, and opened a factory there in 1853.
In addition to introducing new techniques for glazing his wares, Mafra introduced a number of stylistic innovations to the traditional Palissy style of ceramic decoration. Instead of serene images of plant life, Mafra’s works often depicted fierce and violent fights between snakes and lizards. He inspired several other Portuguese artists, who also operated in Caldas later in the 19th century, to produce similar fine works in the Palissy style.
Diam: 42 cm.
XIX Century.