Ball pitcher

This ball pitcher, so characteristic of Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain) ceramics from the 19th century, belongs to the Peninsular War Series, in which it was usual to paint only one figure (full-length representations either standing or on horseback) related to the War. In this case, there is an equestrian portrait of ‘Doctor’ Palarea, guerrilla fighter and General of the Spanish troops during the Peninsular War, transformed into a naïve and crude figure although with a certain charm. The rider is surrounded by small trees and simple fern bouquets and leaves; several thick concentric lines around the top and the base complete the secondary decoration, details perhaps more characteristic of the pieces made in Puente del Arzobispo.