Accession Number

1986.008.0811a

Alternate object names

Conquistador Sherd;Biscocho Sherd

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

Pieces of a creamy-white earthenware from Atocha bear the molded, embossed likeness of a soldier wearing a hat, ruff collar, jacket, and breeches. He holds an axe-style halberd in his right hand, with his left hand on his hip. The figure is surrounded by a pattern of incised lines and embossed florets. The fragments appear to have come from a rounded jar. This type of ceramic is called bizcocho (biscuit) ware, a fine, unglazed, earthenware paste that has little evidence of temper. It appears that the surface of this piece was carefully smoothed before being decorated. See also 1986.008.0811b, c.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023): N/A
Object Caption (2023):

Part of a Container
Bizcocho ware (Spain, c.1600)
Gift of Jamestown Inc
1986.008.0811a

These fragments, found on the site of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, show a Spanish soldier of the period. Known as bizcocho (biscuit) ware, this pot or jar was made of a fine-pasted clay that could be cast in elaborate molds.