In the twelfth century AD, potters from Egypt and Syria introduced the art of lusterware to Iran, particularly to the city of Rayy (now Chahr-e-Rey), which was later used in Malaga. In the workshops of this city, the so-called Alhambra vases were produced in the 14th century, using the metallic luster technique, decorated with arabesques, inscriptions, and coats of arms, sometimes with animal figures. With the fall of the Nasrids, the workshops in Málaga fell into decline, and it was in Valencia (Paterna and Manises) that these lusterwares were later manufactured. Spanish ceramics greatly influenced European pottery, as Italy sought inspiration in Malaga very early on. Egyptians were very fond of these works and encouraged the import of "Malaga," as they called it. This is the origin of the word Majolica, in Italian, maiolica (from the Castilian word Mallorca), because the earthenware passed through the port of Mallorca on its way to Italy (Source "The Art of Byzance and Islam" by Carel J. du Ry).