Earthenware plate showing breast feeding, Italy, 1601-1800

Tin-glazed earthenware plate

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Tin-glazed earthenware plate
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tin-glazed earthenware plate, depicting part of a parturition service, Italian, 17th or 18th century

Scenes of childbirth and nursing newborns were common in parturition or birthing sets. They were used to serve foods to wealthy women during their pregnancy or after childbirth. Childbirth was and still is risky. Birthing sets commemorated a successful pregnancy and birth.

Recent mothers also underwent confinement or lying-in. This normally occurred four to six weeks after birth. She was served food in her chambers probably using a birthing set like this. Images of birth in some sets gave women positive images to concentrate on. Parturition sets consisted of several pieces ingeniously stacked together. This glazed earthenware example shows a mother breastfeeding her child. It forms part of a set with A645208.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A645207
Materials:
earthenware, tin-glazed
type:
plate
credit:
Sotheby's