Vintage Ceramic Plates, 1920s, Set of 2

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Item description:
A stunning pair of ceramic plates, entirely hand-crafted on a potter's wheel, glazed and vitrified, and finished with … Read more Item description:
A stunning pair of ceramic plates, entirely hand-crafted on a potter's wheel, glazed and vitrified, and finished with Sienna gold and ruby red metallic lustres. The decorations on the rims of the two plates depict two very important historical figures from the Roman Empire, as written on the parchment on either side of the main portrait: on one side, Mauro, a famous Roman general, and on the other, Caesar, the most important emperor of the Roman Empire. In addition, there are wonderful Raphaelesque decorations on the rim, also made entirely by hand. The pair can be dated to the early decades of the 20th century, and the evident patina covering the plates, especially on the back, is perfectly in line with this dating. The two plates are signed on the back in blue underglaze with the first mark of the Cooperativa Ceramisti di Gualdo Tadino, one of the oldest and most important manufacturers operating in Gualdo Tadino, and with the place of production "Gualdo Tadino Italia." The word Italia instead of Italy confirms that we are talking about ceramics dating back to before 1930.


Useful information for evaluating the item:
Our research shows that the Cooperativa Ceramisti di Gualdo Tadino has achieved impressive auction results, with prices of over €1,000 for a single vase. On various online art and antiques sales sites, we found a vase with similar colors and lustre offered at €1,200 and a single, larger plate, also with a central portrait in the rim and Raphaelesque decorations on the brim, offered at €990. Our plates are not particularly large, but they are a pair and, moreover, the depiction of Emperor Julius Caesar is extremely rare, a feature that makes this pair of plates particularly important for art lovers and collectors.


Information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
The "Cooperativa Ceramisti" artistic ceramics factory has been operating in Gualdo Tadino since 1907, founded by a group of ceramists from various manufacturers in the city. The cooperative, based in the former convent of Santa Margherita, was managed by Ugo Guerrieri and later by Gioacchino Angeli. The production, carried out by numerous members, is similar to that of other manufacturers in the area and consists of traditional Gualdo-style ceramics and copies of ancient pieces decorated with lustre. In the 1920s, a ceramics school was opened within the factory, under the direction of Pico Discepoli. After a period of growth and commercial success, at the end of the 1920s, the cooperative was affected by the international economic crisis and a few years later was forced to declare bankruptcy. It was re-established under the name "S.A. Nuova Cooperativa Ceramisti" and in the post-war years, the management was entrusted to Pico Discepoli. The cooperative remained active until the end of the 1950s. Among its collaborators were Orfeo Lacchi, Adelmo Gubbini, Guglielmo Paffi, Gildo Paffi, Guido Teca, Alessio Righi, Claudina Ceccarelli, Felsiana Megni, Valdesino Pasquarelli, Flavio Gubbini, and Renzo Megni. The history of the factory includes a collaboration with the "Zaccagnini" company of Florence.


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