Nascoste in piena vista. Molteplici legami tra la scrittura e la ceramica bassomedievale

The study of majolica from the late Middle Ages allowed us to observe the relationship that is established, in this chronological context, between ceramics and writing. During the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, together with the multiplication of decorative motifs – including, in line with the traditional theory of communication, Gothic letters and complex sentences – it is possible to observe the proliferation of unusual forms of writing. Through the study of these presences, it was possible to observe how they are carriers of three distinct degrees of communication. Some of these had to be able to transmit a wide-ranging message but needed a suitable cultural substrate for its reception, others could instead be understood only by a small group of individuals and, finally, others still seem completely devoid of a communicative will. However, as often happens, reality appears to be more complex than the scheme in which it is intended to be registered and for this reason, it will be necessary to observe and understand each circumstance in which these unusual types of writing were produced.