The art and ritual of childbirth in Renaissance Italy

Childbirth in Renaissance Italy was encouraged, celebrated, and commemorated with a wide range of objects from wooden trays and bowls and maiolica wares to paintings, sculpture, clothing, linens, and food. This ground-breaking book examines for the first-time the appearance, meaning, and function of these childbirth objects. It also describes the social and cultural context in which they were created, purchased, and bestowed. In doing so, it offers many insights into Renaissance daily life.